Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What is the function of most enzymes?
What is a substrate in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction?
What is absolute specificity in enzymes?
What is stereochemical specificity in enzymes?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of an enzyme with stereochemical specificity?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Enzyme Functions and Specificity
- The primary function of most enzymes is to increase the rate of chemical reactions in the body, allowing them to occur efficiently and accurately.
- A substrate in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction is the molecule that an enzyme acts upon, binding to the active site of the enzyme to facilitate the chemical reaction.
- Absolute specificity in enzymes refers to the ability of an enzyme to catalyze only one specific reaction or bind to only one specific substrate, ensuring high fidelity in biochemical reactions.
- Stereochemical specificity in enzymes refers to the ability of an enzyme to distinguish between different stereoisomers (molecules with the same molecular formula and bond order, but differing in three-dimensional structure) of a substrate, allowing it to selectively catalyze reactions involving specific stereoisomers.
- The enzyme lactate dehydrogenase exhibits stereochemical specificity, as it can differentiate between the D-lactate and L-lactate stereoisomers of lactic acid, only catalyzing the conversion of L-lactate to pyruvate.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of pre-final enzymes in this quiz. Learn about the role of biological catalysts, the incredible rate acceleration of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, and the nomenclature used to name enzymes based on their functions. Ideal for students of biochemistry and molecular biology.
