Question

Describe how the concept of activation energy impacts the living organisms, and why enzymes are critical in this process.

Answer 1

Enzymes lower the activation energy in metabolic processes in living organisms. They act as catalysts for reactions in living organisms.

Enzymes have specific structural properties in their active sites which binds to the specific complimentary substrates to induce close proximity effects of the substrates. Temporary and close binding increases the chances of the 2 substrates reacting with each other, as compared to relying on coincidental bumping of reactants in the absence of enzymes.

Enzymes have a straining effect on substrates which should be broken down. The slight straining effect of the enzyme on the substrate, due to slight distortions in the enzyme's active side structure, will strain specific bonds in the substrate to induce substrate breakage.

Enzymes are able to oriented substrates / substrate to a specific orientation within the active site of enzymes, so that the correct bonds will be exposed to the chemical reaction.

Enzymes have a specific and appropriate microenvironments in their active sites for specific reactions to occur. For e.g., hydrophobic amino acid residues in the active sites creates an adequate environment for non-polar substrates to react together.

All in all, enzymes work to quicken processes in the body for e.g. to react to changes in the environment.

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