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What is enzymatic activity and how does it work?
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Enzymatic activity is the ability of enzymes to catalyze biochemical reactions. Enzymes act by providing an alternative reaction pathway that is more energetically favorable than the uncatalyzed reaction, thus allowing the reaction to occur at a much lower energy cost. The enzyme typically binds to the substrate molecule, stabilizing it and increasing the likelihood that it will undergo the desired reaction. This binding causes the substrate molecule to assume an optimal conformation for the reaction, allowing it to achieve the transition state for the reaction more easily. The products are then released, allowing the enzyme to repeat the catalytic cycle.