Activation Energy

Question 1

Why is activation energy needed?

Answer 1

• Chemical reactions need energy to start/activate them.

Question 2

How can activation energy be provided in a lab?

Answer 2

• It can provided by heat

Question 3

Why can temperature not be raised to high?

Answer 3

• Proteins begin to denature
• Lipid Structure in cell membranes fall apart

Question 4

What is an ANABOLIC reaction?

Answer 4

• If two substrates need to join to form a product, the enzymes hold the 2 molecules close together at the active site.
• The necessary bonds can then form to join them.

Question 5

What is a CATABOLIC reaction?

Answer 5

• If one substrate needs to break down into 2 products, the active site holds the substrate in the correct position to put a strain on certain bonds.
• These then can break, giving 2 products

Question 6

What do the enzymes do to the activation energy?

Answer 6

• Lower the activation energy
• Speeds up the reaction