Here's why:
* Enzymes are catalysts: They speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy, which is the energy required to start a reaction. They don't add energy to the system.
* Energy comes from elsewhere: The energy needed for a reaction to occur typically comes from the surroundings (like heat) or from other chemical reactions.
* Enzymes create a favorable environment: Enzymes provide a specific environment for the reaction to occur more easily, making it faster. Think of them as a matchmaker for reactants, bringing them together in the right way.
Analogy: Imagine you have a pile of logs that you want to burn. The logs have the potential to burn, but you need to provide energy (like a match) to get them going. Once they're burning, they provide their own energy to keep the fire going. An enzyme is like the match; it doesn't provide the energy to start the fire, but it makes it easier to ignite.
