What happens to the activation energy of a reaction catalyzed by an enzyme?

In a reaction catalyzed by an enzyme, the activation energy is decreased. Enzymes function as biological catalysts by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy compared to the uncatalyzed reaction. This lowered activation energy allows the reaction to proceed more quickly and efficiently at physiological temperatures.

By stabilizing the transition state of the reaction and lowering the energy barrier that must be overcome for the reaction to occur, enzymes make it easier for substrates to convert into products. This principle is fundamental to understanding how enzymes enhance the rate of biochemical reactions within living organisms, making metabolic processes more efficient.