Study Unit 3 Flashcards
Fermentation
Reactions wherein a raw organic feed is converted into a product by the action of microbes or by the action of enzymes
Three classes of biological processes
Fermentation
Elementary physiological processes
Actions of living entities
Groups of fermentation
- Catalysed by enzymes
- Catalysed by microorganisms
What is the difference between enzymatic and microbial fermentation?
Enzymatic fermentation
- Organic feed is converted into a product but no enzyme is produced
Microbial fermentation
- Organic feed is converted to a product but cells are reproduced during fermentation
What is an enzyme?
A protein with a high molecular weight that acts as a catalyst
What does it mean when we say that enzymes are substrate specific?
Every enzyme is specific for a certain substance (substrate)
How are enzymes named?
Reference to reaction or substrate + “-ase”
What is a holo-enzyme?
An active complex enzyme consisting of an apoenzyme with a coenzyme attached to it
What is the apoenzyme?
The protein component of an enzyme
What is the coenzyme?
The non-protonatious organic substance that usually contains a vitamin or mineral
What is a cofactor?
A metical ion that needs to be associated with an enzyme for the the enzyme to function
What are iso-enzymes?
Enzymes that differ in form but that catalyze the same reaction
What happens during enzymatic fermentation?
The substrate binds to a very specific active site on the enzyme. When bonded the enzyme-substrate complex is formed and the reaction can take place. The products of the reaction then leave the active site, leaving it available for another substrate molecule.
What is the proximity effect that takes place during enzymatic fermentation?
The proximity effect increases the rate of the reaction as the active sites of the substrate and the enzyme are aligned and held close together (has the same effect as the increase in concentration of the reagents of the reaction)
What is the orientation effect that takes place during enzymatic fermentation?
3D structure of the enzyme is changed to increase the reaction rate
How is enzyme concentration measured?
In units.
1 U = 1 micromole/min at a certain T and pH with a substrate concentration much greater than Km (Michaelis-Mentin constant)
What is a unit?
A unit has to do with the amount of catalytic activity under certain conditions
What is the specific activity?
Units/proteins
micromole/min.mg
What is Michaelis and Menten’s 2-step proposed mechanism for enzymatic fermentation?
E + S = ES
ES = E + P
Why can it not be said that the MM constant refers to the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate?
MM constant relates to the various rate constants. Temp and pH influence the rate constants thus these factors influence the MM constant
Why is Km intrinsic (essential) and Vm not?
Km is a CONSTANT for a given substrate acting on a GIVEN ENZYME.
Vmax is directly proportional to the enzyme concentration as k2 (k3) is a constant for the specific given enzyme.