Page 190 - The Manga Guide to Biochemistry

What Is Activation Energy?

A fixed amount of energy is required for a
chemical reaction to proceed smoothly. This

is called activation energy.

Take a look at this graph, which
shows the progress of an
individual chemical reaction.

: substrate Since A and B are
: Reaction product different substances,

they have different
amounts of energy.

Amount of energy Activation
Amount ofenergy
energy

Reaction Progress Look at the energy
values of A and B!

Here, chemical For the reaction to produce B The activation energy
substrate, substrate A, from A, the activation energy does not affect the
difference between the
is transformed via has to be added to the mix. energy values of A and B.
a chemical reaction
to produce reaction The highest part of
this wall is called the
product B. activation barrier or

It’s almost like the energy barrier.
substrate has to climb
over a really high wall
to escape imprisonment
and transform into the

reaction product.

Uh... K-shunck

climb a wall? Yikes!
Scary...

176 Chapter 4