Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to water and oxygen. Discuss the molecular mechanisms behind the difference in rates or activation energy of the uncatalyzed reaction, the reaction catalyzed by ferric ions, and the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme catalase. Why is the activation energy barrier essential for life as we know it? Why is it an advantage to the cell that enzymes that generate as well as break down hydrogen peroxide (catalase) are compartmentalized within the membrane-bound peroxisome?