Read the below statements about enzymes and choose the correct option:
1. Enzymes increase the activation energy of a reaction.
2. Enzymes are specific to substances due to active site configuration.
3. Enzymes activity is affected by pH and temperature.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Only 2 and 3 are correct.
Statement 1 is incorrect because enzymes are biological catalysts that decrease, not increase, the activation energy required for a chemical reaction to occur, thereby speeding up the process. Statement 2 is correct because enzymes possess a specific three-dimensional shape called an active site, which allows only certain substrates to bind (the "Lock and Key" model). Statement 3 is also correct as enzymes are proteins whose delicate structure can be denatured or inactivated if the pH or temperature deviates from their optimal range, directly affecting their catalytic efficiency.