<P> Enzyme catalysis is the increase in the rate of a chemical reaction by the active site of a protein . The protein catalyst (enzyme) may be part of a multi-subunit complex, and / or may transiently or permanently associate with a Cofactor (e.g. adenosine triphosphate). Catalysis of biochemical reactions in the cell is vital due to the very low reaction rates of the uncatalysed reactions at room temperature and pressure . A key driver of protein evolution is the optimization of such catalytic activities via protein dynamics . </P> <P> The mechanism of enzyme catalysis is similar in principle to other types of chemical catalysis . By providing an alternative reaction route the enzyme reduces the energy required to reach the highest energy transition state of the reaction . The reduction of activation energy (Ea) increases the amount of reactant molecules that achieve a sufficient level of energy, such that they reach the activation energy and form the product . As with other catalysts, the enzyme is not consumed during the reaction (as a substrate is) but is recycled such that a single enzyme performs many rounds of catalysis . </P> <P> The favored model for the enzyme - substrate interaction is the induced fit model . This model proposes that the initial interaction between enzyme and substrate is relatively weak, but that these weak interactions rapidly induce conformational changes in the enzyme that strengthen binding . </P>

How does an enzyme cause a reaction to increase in rate
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