cofactors

Question 1

what is a co factor?

Answer 1

a non protein helper component
- can transfer atoms / groups from reactions
- can form part of active site
- obtained through diet
- some cofactors change the charge distribution on the surface of the substrate or enzyme. This makes the temporary bonds in the enzyme substrate complex easier to form

Question 2

what is a co enzyme?

Answer 2

a cofactor which is an organic molecule
obtained from vitamins

Question 2

give examples of co factors

Answer 2

iron
calcium
chloride
zinc

Question 3

what is a prosthetic group?

Answer 3

a type of co factor which is tightly bound, forming a permanent feature of the protein

Question 4

Why are some enzymes released in an inactive form?

Answer 4

the active enzyme could cause damage to the cells producing them or the tissues where they are released + allows the location and conditions where the enzyme is active to be tightly regulated

Question 5

what is precursor activation?

Answer 5

enzymes produced in inactive form which often need to undergo a change in tertiary structure achieved by adding a co factor

Question 6

what is the precursor protein?

Answer 6

apoenzyme

Question 7

what is the activated enzyme?

Answer 7

holoenzyme

Question 8

what is the co factor for amylase?

Answer 8

Cl-

Question 9

what is the prosthetic for carbonic anhydrase?

Answer 9

Zn2+

Question 10

some enzymes work best in the presence of other molecules or ions. explain how these increase activity of enzymes (5 marks)

Answer 10

• molecules/ions are called co factors
• increases enzyme activity by binding to active site or alternate site and changing it so that it can interact with substrate
• affects charges on active site
• ESC forms more easily
• more reactions can be catalysed