An enzyme changes the equilibrium ratio of reactants and products by lowering the activation energy.

### Why this is right The statement is false because enzymes lower activation energy and speed the approach to equilibrium, but they do not change the equilibrium position. Reactants and products still settle at the same equilibrium ratio without changing the underlying reaction energetics. ### The concept A catalyst provides a lower-energy reaction pathway. It affects how quickly equilibrium is reached, not the relative stability of reactants and products at equilibrium. ### Terms - **Activation energy**: the energy barrier that reactants must overcome to form products. - **Equilibrium**: the state in which forward and reverse reaction rates are equal. ### Remember Enzymes change reaction rate, not the equilibrium position.