Grade 12 · Biology
Enzymes & the active site
Why it matters
How enzymes lower activation energy.
Advanced20m readingPrerequisite: None
How do enzymes work?
Short answer
Enzymes are biological catalysts, usually proteins, that speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy needed for them to proceed. A substrate binds to a specific region called the active site, forming an enzyme–substrate complex that stabilizes the transition state. The enzyme is not consumed, so it can catalyze the same reaction again and again.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the active site?
- The specific region of an enzyme, shaped to fit a particular substrate, where the catalyzed reaction takes place.
- Are enzymes used up in a reaction?
- No. Like all catalysts, enzymes are regenerated unchanged and can catalyze many reaction cycles.