Enzymes

Question 1

What should be considered before using an enzyme as a catalyst

Answer 1

1. Temperature and pH
2. Susceptibility to inhibition
3. Source and cost

Question 2

What is the name of an inhibitor that is not covalently bound its enzyme

Answer 2

Reversible inhibitor (these can be removed by dialysis)

Question 3

What are the 3 main classifications of reversible inhibitors

Answer 3

1. Competitive
2. Non-competitive
3. Uncompetitive

Question 4

What are the differences between non-competitive and uncompetitive inhibitors

Answer 4

Non-competitive inhibitors lowers the enzymes Vmax so fewer enzymes are functional whereas uncompetitive inhibitors bind to enzyme substrate complexes preventing release of the products thereby wasting the substrate and the enzyme

Question 5

What are some advantages of allosteric regulation of enzymes

Answer 5

• they can be either inhibitory or excitatory
• regulation is rapid
• effectors do not need to resemble the substrate or product

Question 6

What is covalent modification

Answer 6

This is when molecules are added on to the enzyme changing the structure thereby making the enzyme more or less complementary

Question 7

What is Vmax for enzymes

Answer 7

Maximum speed / rate of reaction

Question 8

What is Km

Answer 8

The michealis constant