How does an enzyme increase the rate of the chemical reaction it catalyzes? how does an enzyme increase the rate of the chemical reaction it catalyzes? an enzyme's active site binds only the reactants, and not the products of a reaction, pushing the equilibrium for the reaction far to the right. an enzyme reduces the free-energy change (δg) of the reaction it catalyzes. an enzyme reduces the free energy of activation (ea) of the reaction it catalyzes?