Coenzymes, Cofactors & Prosthetic Groups

Question 1

What are coenzymes?

Answer 1

small organic compounds e.g. vitamins

they are needed by some enzymes to work

they are recycled (not used up) and you only need a small amount of vitamins in your diet

coenzymes are important in metabolic reactions pathways e.g. respiration

they do chemically change but then change back again

Question 2

What are cofactors?

Answer 2

inorganic molecules e.g. chloride ions (CL-) and amylase

they attach to some enzymes - they are needed for enzyme to function

they often form part of active site

the ydont interact in the reaction - not used up

Question 3

What is a prosthetic group?

Answer 3

same as cofactors except that they are chemically bonded onto the enzyme and permanent part of enzyme

e.g. zinc ions (Zn 2+) and carbonic anhydrase, haemaglobin

Question 4

What is enzyme inhibition?

Answer 4

enzymes can be inhibited by removing the coenzyme, cofactor or prosthetic group