How do catalysts/enzymes influence the activation energy of a reaction?

Catalysts and enzymes are substances that significantly influence the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy needed for reactants to collide successfully and form products. By reducing this barrier, catalysts allow reactions to proceed more quickly and efficiently, enabling processes to happen at lower energy levels than would otherwise be the case.

This property is critical in biological systems, where enzymes facilitate vital reactions without requiring excessive energy input, thus supporting life processes under physiological conditions. While catalysts do not alter the overall energy change of the reaction or the equilibrium position, their ability to lower activation energy directly correlates to an increased rate of reaction, making them essential in both industrial applications and biological functions.