An energy barrier prevents the spontaneous breakdown of molecules in the cell. This barrier is lower than the activation energy of a reaction, but still must be overcome for a reaction to occur. Enzymes can lower the activation energy, but are not the only way to overcome the energy barrier.

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An Energy Barrier

Question 16

Multiple Choice

An energy barrier

A) is the amount of energy that must be produced by the reactants to end a chemical reaction.
B) prevents the spontaneous breakdown of molecules in the cell.
C) is higher than the activation energy of a reaction.
D) can only be overcome with the use of enzymes.

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