Question

Should the energy of enzyme-substrate binding be greater than, less than, or equal to the energy of enzyme-transition-state binding (ΔG_b^‡) in order for the reaction to proceed? and why?

Answer 1

A catalyst binds the substrate with less energy than at the transition state (Linus Pauling). Therefore, the free energy of Enzyme transition state binding is higher than that of the Substrate. However, both of these free energies are higher than that of the product since there is always energy loss associated with product formation. This can be seen from the below graph of energy vs reaction coordinate in which the Y-axis gives the energy and X-axis gives the reaction coordinate, i.e. the progress of the reaction or which stage of the reaction is happening.