Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 4

Discuss the role of enzymes as catalysts. What is meant by the expression “energy of activation”?

Step 1 of 2

Enzymes are biological catalysts that regulate the speed of biochemical reactions. They are either proteins or glycoproteins in nature. Enzymes do not cause the reaction to occur, but accelerate the rate at which the reaction occurs. They do not change the nature of the reaction, nor the final products. They only reduce the activation energy required for a biochemical reaction to occur.