Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
- 2. Chemistry3h 40m
- 3. Water1h 26m
- 4. Biomolecules2h 23m
- 5. Cell Components2h 26m
- 6. The Membrane2h 31m
- 7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
- 8. Respiration2h 40m
- 9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
- 10. Cell Signaling59m
- 11. Cell Division2h 47m
- 12. Meiosis2h 0m
- 13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
- Introduction to Mendel's Experiments7m
- Genotype vs. Phenotype17m
- Punnett Squares13m
- Mendel's Experiments26m
- Mendel's Laws18m
- Monohybrid Crosses19m
- Test Crosses14m
- Dihybrid Crosses20m
- Punnett Square Probability26m
- Incomplete Dominance vs. Codominance20m
- Epistasis7m
- Non-Mendelian Genetics12m
- Pedigrees6m
- Autosomal Inheritance21m
- Sex-Linked Inheritance43m
- X-Inactivation9m
- 14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
- 15. Gene Expression3h 20m
- 16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
- Introduction to Regulation of Gene Expression13m
- Prokaryotic Gene Regulation via Operons27m
- The Lac Operon21m
- Glucose's Impact on Lac Operon25m
- The Trp Operon20m
- Review of the Lac Operon & Trp Operon11m
- Introduction to Eukaryotic Gene Regulation9m
- Eukaryotic Chromatin Modifications16m
- Eukaryotic Transcriptional Control22m
- Eukaryotic Post-Transcriptional Regulation28m
- Eukaryotic Post-Translational Regulation13m
- 17. Viruses37m
- 18. Biotechnology2h 58m
- 19. Genomics17m
- 20. Development1h 5m
- 21. Evolution3h 1m
- 22. Evolution of Populations3h 52m
- 23. Speciation1h 37m
- 24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
- 25. Phylogeny2h 31m
- 26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
- 27. Protists1h 12m
- 28. Plants1h 22m
- 29. Fungi36m
- 30. Overview of Animals34m
- 31. Invertebrates1h 2m
- 32. Vertebrates50m
- 33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
- 34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- 35. Soil37m
- 36. Plant Reproduction47m
- 37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
- 38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
- 39. Digestive System1h 10m
- 40. Circulatory System1h 57m
- 41. Immune System1h 12m
- 42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- 43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- 44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- 45. Nervous System1h 55m
- 46. Sensory Systems46m
- 47. Muscle Systems23m
- 48. Ecology3h 11m
- Introduction to Ecology20m
- Biogeography14m
- Earth's Climate Patterns50m
- Introduction to Terrestrial Biomes10m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Near Equator13m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Regions10m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Northern Regions15m
- Introduction to Aquatic Biomes27m
- Freshwater Aquatic Biomes14m
- Marine Aquatic Biomes13m
- 49. Animal Behavior28m
- 50. Population Ecology3h 41m
- Introduction to Population Ecology28m
- Population Sampling Methods23m
- Life History12m
- Population Demography17m
- Factors Limiting Population Growth14m
- Introduction to Population Growth Models22m
- Linear Population Growth6m
- Exponential Population Growth29m
- Logistic Population Growth32m
- r/K Selection10m
- The Human Population22m
- 51. Community Ecology2h 46m
- Introduction to Community Ecology2m
- Introduction to Community Interactions9m
- Community Interactions: Competition (-/-)38m
- Community Interactions: Exploitation (+/-)23m
- Community Interactions: Mutualism (+/+) & Commensalism (+/0)9m
- Community Structure35m
- Community Dynamics26m
- Geographic Impact on Communities21m
- 52. Ecosystems2h 36m
- 53. Conservation Biology24m
7. Energy and Metabolism
Enzyme Activation Energy
Problem 6`
Textbook Question
What would happen if activation energy barriers didn't exist?
a. Substrates would not bind properly to enzymes.
b. Chemical reactions in the body would never occur.
c. Enzyme function would not be affected.
d. Metabolic reactions would proceed even if their products were not needed.

1
Understand the concept of activation energy: Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to proceed. It acts as a barrier that ensures reactions occur only under specific conditions.
Consider the role of enzymes: Enzymes lower the activation energy barrier, allowing reactions to occur more efficiently and under controlled conditions. Without activation energy barriers, enzymes would not need to regulate reactions.
Analyze the implications of no activation energy barriers: If activation energy barriers did not exist, chemical reactions could occur spontaneously and uncontrollably, regardless of whether the products were needed or not.
Evaluate the options provided: Option (a) is incorrect because substrate binding to enzymes is not directly related to activation energy barriers. Option (b) is incorrect because reactions would still occur, but uncontrollably. Option (c) is incorrect because enzyme function would be affected due to the lack of regulation. Option (d) is correct because metabolic reactions would proceed without the need for regulation or necessity of their products.
Conclude that activation energy barriers are essential for maintaining order and regulation in biological systems, ensuring that reactions occur only when needed and under appropriate conditions.

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
1mPlay a video:
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Activation Energy
Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. It acts as a barrier that must be overcome for reactants to transform into products. In biological systems, enzymes lower the activation energy, facilitating reactions that would otherwise proceed too slowly to sustain life.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Enzyme Activation Energy
Enzyme Function
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy. They bind to substrates, forming an enzyme-substrate complex, which stabilizes the transition state and allows the reaction to occur more efficiently. Without activation energy barriers, the specificity and regulation of enzyme function would be compromised.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Functions of Enzymes
Metabolic Reactions
Metabolic reactions are the biochemical processes that occur within living organisms to maintain life, including catabolism and anabolism. These reactions are tightly regulated to ensure that they occur only when necessary. If activation energy barriers did not exist, metabolic pathways could run uncontrollably, leading to imbalances and potentially harmful consequences for the organism.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Introduction to Metabolism
Watch next
Master Enzyme Activation Energy with a bite sized video explanation from Jason
Start learningRelated Videos
Related Practice