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Questions and Answers
What are enzymes?
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are powerful and highly specific biological catalysts, mostly protein in nature, that are not consumed within the reaction.
What is optical specificity in enzymes?
What is optical specificity in enzymes?
Optical specificity (stereospecificity) refers to enzymes acting on only one of 2 isomers, for example, maltase acts on α-glycosides but not β-glycosides.
What is group specificity in enzymes?
What is group specificity in enzymes?
Group specificity refers to enzymes acting on a specific group or linkage, for example, pepsin acts on peptide bonds.
What is absolute specificity of an enzyme?
What is absolute specificity of an enzyme?
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Where are intracellular enzymes formed?
Where are intracellular enzymes formed?
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What is the difference between inducible enzymes and constitutional enzymes?
What is the difference between inducible enzymes and constitutional enzymes?
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What is the composition of conjugated enzymes?
What is the composition of conjugated enzymes?
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What is the role of NAD+ as a coenzyme?
What is the role of NAD+ as a coenzyme?
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How does Mg+2 act as a cofactor for DNA polymerase?
How does Mg+2 act as a cofactor for DNA polymerase?
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What type of reactions do oxidoreductases catalyze?
What type of reactions do oxidoreductases catalyze?
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Study Notes
Enzymes Overview
- Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions in living organisms, facilitating processes crucial for metabolism and other cellular functions.
Optical Specificity
- Optical specificity refers to an enzyme's ability to distinguish between different optical isomers (enantiomers) of a chiral substrate, allowing it to interact with only one specific form.
Group Specificity
- Group specificity describes an enzyme's capacity to act on substrates that share a common functional group, rather than a specific molecule, enhancing versatility.
Absolute Specificity
- Absolute specificity indicates that an enzyme only catalyzes a single specific substrate, ensuring precise biochemical reactions without ambiguity.
Intracellular Enzyme Formation
- Intracellular enzymes are synthesized within the cells they operate in, typically within the endoplasmic reticulum or other organelles depending on the enzyme type.
Inducible vs. Constitutional Enzymes
- Inducible enzymes are produced in response to specific stimuli or environmental conditions, while constitutional enzymes are continuously expressed regardless of external factors.
Composition of Conjugated Enzymes
- Conjugated enzymes consist of a protein portion (apoenzyme) and a non-protein component (cofactor), which can be a metal ion or an organic molecule necessary for enzyme activity.
Role of NAD+ as a Coenzyme
- NAD+ (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) functions as a coenzyme in redox reactions, facilitating the transfer of electrons and hydrogen ions, and is essential in metabolic processes like cellular respiration.
Magnesium Ion as Cofactor for DNA Polymerase
- Mg²⁺ serves as a crucial cofactor for DNA polymerase, stabilizing the negative charges on the DNA backbone and activating nucleotides for DNA synthesis.
Reactions Catalyzed by Oxidoreductases
- Oxidoreductases catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions, involving the transfer of electrons between molecules, critical for energy production and metabolic pathways.
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Description
Test your knowledge of enzymes, biochemical reactions, and the general properties of enzymes with this quiz. Explore the role of enzymes as powerful and highly specific biological catalysts that are not consumed within the reaction.
