🧪 Enzymes and Activation Energy

If you’ve been prepping for the DAT, you already know that biochemistry topics—especially enzymes—are almost guaranteed to appear. Today, we’re diving into a foundational topic: how enzymes lower activation energy, and why this matters for your exam success.

📝 DAT Test Tip: How It Appears on the Exam

The DAT loves to test this in two ways:

1. Diagram interpretation: You'll be asked to compare catalyzed vs. uncatalyzed energy graphs.

2. Mechanism questions: Identifying how enzymes lower Ea through transition state stabilization or induced fit.

Pro Tip: Look for answer choices that mention transition state or active site interactions.

🔁 Common Enzyme Types You Should Know for the DAT

Enzyme Class	Function
Hydrolases	Break molecules using water
Oxidoreductases	Transfer electrons
Transferases	Move functional groups
Isomerases	Rearranging atoms
Ligases	Bonding molecules using ATP

💡 Why This Matters

Understanding enzyme mechanics is not just memorization. It’s about recognizing patterns in graphs, data, and mechanisms—exactly what King of the Curve trains you to master through our Adaptive Q-Bank, visual breakdowns, and daily challenges.

🎯 Call to Action: Ready to Master More Concepts?

Want to see more breakdowns like this? Access 1000+ exam visuals, timed quizzes, and game-based learning in the KOTC app.

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✅ Summary

• Enzymes reduce the activation energy, speeding up biochemical reactions.

• This is a favorite DAT question topic—especially in graph or mechanism form.

• Use visuals like the one above to deepen your conceptual understanding.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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