Questions and Answers
What is the primary role of enzymes in biochemical reactions?
What is a substrate in a chemical reaction?
A reactant acted upon by an enzyme.
Enzymes are found only in specific organs and do not appear in the serum.
False
What does the active site of an enzyme do?
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What is a cofactor?
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A catalytically active enzyme consisting of an apoenzyme combined with its cofactor is called a ______.
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What is an allosteric site?
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Define isoenzymes.
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Study Notes
Enzymology Overview
- Enzymes are biological proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions without altering the equilibrium or being consumed.
- Catalyst specificity is crucial for physiological functions, including hydration of carbon dioxide, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, nutrient degradation, and energy use.
- Enzymes are present in all body tissues, with increased serum presence following cellular injury or degradation.
Enzyme Functionality
- Enzymes lower the activation energy needed for chemical reactions, facilitating faster reactions.
- They act as biological markers for organ damage.
Substrate Definition
- A substrate is a reactant in a chemical reaction that is acted upon by an enzyme.
- Typically observed in a chemical reaction, substrates bind to enzymes at the active site.
Active Site Characteristics
- The active site is where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.
- Comprised of amino acid residues that form temporary bonds with substrates and residues that catalyze the reaction.
Allosteric Site
- An allosteric site is a regulatory cavity separate from the active site that binds regulatory molecules.
- It plays a significant role in enzyme structure, influencing activation or inhibition of enzyme activity.
Isoenzymes
- Isoenzymes are different forms of enzymes that catalyze similar reactions but vary in structure and efficiency.
Cofactors
- Cofactors are nonprotein molecules attached to enzymes that help complete their active sites.
- They enhance enzyme activity and can be metal ions (e.g., zinc, iron) or organic molecules (e.g., vitamins).
Holoenzyme Composition
- A holoenzyme is a catalytically active enzyme formed by an apoenzyme combined with its cofactor.
- Examples of holoenzymes include DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase, which consist of multiple protein subunits.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of clinical chemistry and enzymology, focusing on the reactions catalyzed by enzymes and their biological significance. Test your understanding of enzyme specificity and the products of enzyme-reagent interactions.
