Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Enzyme Function
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. They do not change the equilibrium position of a reaction but can help reach equilibrium faster. Understanding how enzymes interact with substrates is crucial for predicting the outcome of adding an enzyme to a system.
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Equilibrium in Chemical Reactions
In a chemical reaction at equilibrium, the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal, resulting in constant concentrations of reactants and products. Adding an enzyme does not alter the concentrations of substrates or products at equilibrium; it only affects the rate at which equilibrium is achieved. This concept is essential for understanding why certain options in the question may be incorrect.
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Free Energy and Reaction Direction
Free energy (Gibbs free energy) determines the spontaneity of a reaction. A reaction is exergonic if it releases energy and is spontaneous, while an endergonic reaction requires energy input. When a system is at equilibrium, the free energy change (ΔG) is zero, meaning that adding an enzyme will not change the free energy of the system, which is key to answering the question.
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