cellular respiration is an exothermic reaction and photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction. how does the required activation energy compare for these two reactions? (1 point) cellular respiration needs a higher amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants. cellular respiration needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants. photosynthesis needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants. photosynthesis needs a higher amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.
3 answers
Enzymes achieve this by binding to specific reactant molecules, known as substrates, at a region called the active site. The active site is specific to the substrate's shape, and once the substrate binds, the enzyme undergoes a conformational change that stabilizes the substrate and facilitates the formation or breakage of chemical bonds.
This binding and conformational change process lowers the energy barrier required for the reaction to occur, thus reducing the activation energy. By decreasing the activation energy, enzymes make reactions more likely to happen, even at lower temperatures or in conditions that would not normally support the reaction.