Which of the following statements concerning enzyme catalysis is FALSE?

Enolase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in glycolysis by catalyzing the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate. It does so primarily through acid-base catalysis involving a series of amino acid side chains, particularly histidines, rather than using metal ions like Fe2+. This distinguishes its mechanism from that suggested in the statement, which incorrectly implies that enolase relies on iron ions for its function.

The other statements accurately reflect key characteristics of enzyme catalysis. Enzymes indeed lower the activation energy required for a reaction, making it easier for the reaction to proceed. While the majority of enzymes are proteins, with the notable exception being ribozymes, it is common to refer to them collectively as enzymes. Moreover, enzymes are not consumed in the processes they catalyze; they may participate in the reaction but are regenerated by the end of the process, enabling them to facilitate multiple reaction cycles. This foundational understanding of enzyme activity highlights why the statement regarding enolase's mechanism is the one that is false.