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.
cellular respiration needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.
how do enzymes affect chemical reaction
Enzymes are biological molecules that act as catalysts, meaning they speed up the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. Enzymes work by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, which allows the reaction to proceed more readily or at a faster rate.
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.
Cellular respiration needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.
The correct answer is: cellular respiration needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.
To understand why this is the correct answer, let's first define activation energy. Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. It is the energy needed to break the bonds between reactant molecules so that new bonds can form to create the products.
In cellular respiration, the reactants are typically glucose and oxygen, which have higher energy states compared to the products (carbon dioxide and water). This means that the reaction releases energy, making it exothermic. Since the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants, less energy is required to reach the transition state and initiate the reaction. Therefore, cellular respiration needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction.
On the other hand, photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction because it requires energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. In this case, the products (glucose and oxygen) have higher energy than the reactants (carbon dioxide and water). As a result, more energy is needed to activate the reaction, making photosynthesis require a higher amount of energy.
So, in summary, cellular respiration needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction compared to photosynthesis because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.