Question

16 how does an enzyme influence a biological reaction? (1pt) a it increases the kinetic energy of reactants, thereby increasing their tendency to collide. b it increases the net energy difference between reactants and products. c it decreases the activation energy necessary to initiate the chemical change. d it decreases the kinetic energy of reactants, enabling them to undergo chemical change more easily.

Explanation:

Enzymes are biological catalysts. They lower the activation - energy barrier required for a chemical reaction to start in a biological system. This allows the reaction to occur more readily at physiological conditions. Increasing kinetic energy of reactants (A) is typically done by increasing temperature. The net energy difference between reactants and products (B) is a characteristic of the reaction itself and not changed by an enzyme. Decreasing the kinetic energy of reactants (D) would make the reaction less likely to occur.

Answer:

C. It decreases the activation energy necessary to initiate the chemical change.