Biology: Enzymes

Question 1

Enzymes

Answer 1

• Lower activation energy of reaction
• Increase rate of reaction
• Do not alter equilibrium constant
• Do not affect overall ΔG of the reaction
• Neither changed nor consumed in the course of the reaction
• pH and temperature sensitive
• Specific for a particular reaction or class of reactions
• Most enzymatic reactions are reversible

Question 2

Differences between the lock and key theory and induced fit hypothesis?

Answer 2

The induced fit hypothesis describes the active site as having some flexibility while the lock and key theory describes a stiffer enzyme

Question 3

What are the two important types of cofactors?

Answer 3

Metal cations and small organic groups (coenzmes)

Question 4

What does a low Michaelis constant indicate?

Answer 4

High enzyme-substrate affinity, where a lower concentration of substrate is necessary for 50% enzyme saturation

Question 5

Allosteric Enzyme

Answer 5

Two or more active sites and can exist in more than one conformation