Enzymes lower the activation energy ACTIVATION ENERGY refers to the least amount of energy it takes to “activate” or start a reaction. Reactions that use ENZYMES require LESS ENERGY to get the reaction started. Therefore, enzymes LOWER the activation energy of a reaction.

Example: Bike up a hill It takes a certain amount of energy to get the bike up the hill to the very top. This is the “activation” energy Once at the top, the bike will start to move down the hill without much or any energy from you.

As illustrated in the diagram above: Reaction with the enzyme (in green) → Lower activation energy Reaction WITHOUT the enzyme (in red) → Higher activation energy

Explain activation energy using the “bike up a hill” analogy. Is there an advantage to the organism to have a lower activation energy?