All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Write short notes in 150 words:
Activation energy based mechanism of enzyme action

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2025 (Prelims) CSAT Official Paper (25-May-2025)

Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy, the energy required for reactants to reach the transition state and form products. Without enzymes, many cellular reactions would be too slow to sustain life. Enzymes have a specific active site where substrates bind, forming a temporary enzyme-substrate complex. This complex stabilizes the transition state, aligning reactants precisely and weakening certain bonds to make the reaction easier. For instance, sucrase catalyzes the breakdown of sucrose into glucose and fructose by positioning molecules optimally and forming hydrogen bonds that aid bond cleavage. The induced fit model shows that enzymes slightly adjust their shape to snugly fit the substrate, enhancing efficiency. Enzymes are not consumed in reactions, allowing them to repeatedly catalyze processes essential for life, like metabolism, DNA replication, and energy production. Their activity is influenced by pH, temperature, and inhibitors, reflecting how finely tuned enzymes are to maintain cellular function and homeostasis.

Answered By:

Harsh Raj

Harsh Raj is a successful government exam expert, having cleared multiple stages of SSC CGL, IBPS PO, CDS, RRB NTPC, and Delhi Police SI exams himself and mentored more than 5000 students through direct mentorship. His expertise is in creating well researched content, especially MCQs, which have been directly asked by relevant commissions in multiple exams.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Write it in 150 words:- Protein sorting in Golgi apparatus

  2. Write a short note in 150 words :- Sympatric and allopatric speciation

  3. write it in 150 words :- Structure and function of Lampbrush chromosome

  4. Write it in 150 words :- Symptoms, causes and treatment of thalassemia

  5. Write it in 150 words :- Coupling and repulsion phases of linkage

  6. Describe composition of plasma membrane.

  7. Differentiate between facilitated and passive diffusion across the membrane with examples.

  8. Explain how mutations affect variations in population and natural selection.

  9. Draw pedigrees for autosomal recessive and sex-linked inheritance using examples from human.

  10. Describe common types of mimicry in insects with suitable examples.


Important Questions from Miscellaneous

  1. Write a note in 150 words
    Mendelian and non-Mendelian traits.

  2. Write a note in 150 words
    Theoretical significance of Purum kinship-system.

  3. Write a note in 150 words
    Smell as a signal among non-human primates.

  4. Write a note in 150 words
    Osteodontokeratik culture and its makers.

  5. Discuss the Miocene hominoid remains and their significance in evolution.

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
UPSC CMS
August 02, 2026
IAS Exam
August 21, 2026
UPSC SO Steno
December 12, 2026
Test Series
IAS img
UPSC
UPSC CSE (IAS) 2027 Prelims Mock Test Series
654 Tests 3 Tests Free
681 Attempts
4.8(182)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App