Enzymes Flashcards
Give two examples of cofactors
Iron
Zinc
What are coenzymes?
Organic molecules required for enzyme function that bind loosely to an enzyme. Secondary substrates.
What are prosthetic groups?
Enzyme partner molecules that bind tightly to an enzyme.
What are cofactors?
Molecules that increase the rate of reaction or are required for enzyme function.
What does hydrolases do?
Breaks chemical bonds by the addition of water (hydrolysis).
What does oxidoreductases do?
Involved in redox reactions.
What is saturation in terms of rate of reaction?
When all the active sites are currently full and so the rate of reaction cannot advance.
What are inhibitors in terms of enzymes?
They are molecules that prevent enzymes from carrying out their normal function.
What is a competitive inhibitor?
A molecule or part of a molecule that prevents the substrate from entering the active site of the enzyme, and so stops the enzyme from carrying out its function.
What is a non-competitive inhibitor?
An inhibitor which changes the form of the enzyme by entering the allosteric site.
What is an allosteric site?
The site other than the active-site on the enzyme which non-competitive inhibitors enter.
