Determination of the Activation Energy of an Enzyme Catalysed Reaction Essay Example

In this practical, the aim of this experiment was to find out the catalytic power of alkaline phosphate, as well as the rate of reaction and the activation energy of p-nitrophenol phosphate. Enzymes are biological molecules that catalyze a chemical reaction. ‘Enzymes work by lowering the activation energy of a chemical reaction making it easier to proceed’ [1]. This allows molecules to have more energy therefore it makes them collide so that products can be formed much quicker.

In order for enzymes to work properly, the activation energy must be exceeded first. Enzymes are described as the lock and key complex. They have an active site that is specific to a binding site on a substrate molecule. When this happens the substrate changes shape therefore the product is formed. ‘The enzyme-catalyzed reaction is as follows: E + S=ES=EP=E + P where E is an enzyme, S is substra