Textbook Question
Give the name and three-letter abbreviation for the amino acid described by each of the following:
a. the nonpolar amino acid with a sulfur atom in its side chain
Ch.10 Proteins Workers of the Cell
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696
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Table of contents
- Ch.4 Introduction to Organic Compounds75
- Ch.5 Chemical Reactions19
- Ch.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet Molecules62
- Ch.7 States of Matter and Their Attractive Forces8
- Ch.8 Solution Chemistry Sugar and Water Do Mix4
- Ch.10 Proteins Workers of the Cell89
- Ch.11 Nucleic Acids Big Molecules with a Big Role69
- Ch.12 Food as Fuel An Overview of Metabolism65
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 6, Problem 54a
Indicate whether each of the following describes a competitive or a noncompetitive inhibitor.
a. The structure of the inhibitor is similar to that of the substrate.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the difference between competitive and noncompetitive inhibitors: A competitive inhibitor competes with the substrate for binding to the active site of the enzyme because its structure is similar to the substrate. A noncompetitive inhibitor binds to a different site on the enzyme (not the active site) and changes the enzyme's shape, reducing its activity regardless of substrate binding.
Analyze the statement: 'The structure of the inhibitor is similar to that of the substrate.'
Recognize that if the inhibitor's structure is similar to the substrate, it is likely to compete with the substrate for the active site of the enzyme.
Conclude that this description aligns with the characteristics of a competitive inhibitor.
Label the inhibitor described in the problem as a competitive inhibitor based on the reasoning above.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Competitive Inhibition
Competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor molecule resembles the substrate and competes for binding to the active site of an enzyme. This type of inhibition can be overcome by increasing the concentration of the substrate, as more substrate molecules can outcompete the inhibitor for the active site.
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Enzyme Inhibition Concept 1
Noncompetitive Inhibition
Noncompetitive inhibition happens when an inhibitor binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, altering the enzyme's function regardless of substrate concentration. This means that increasing substrate levels does not affect the inhibitor's ability to reduce the enzyme's activity, as the inhibitor can bind to both the enzyme and the enzyme-substrate complex.
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Enzyme-Substrate Complex
The enzyme-substrate complex is formed when a substrate molecule binds to the active site of an enzyme, facilitating the chemical reaction. Understanding this complex is crucial for distinguishing between competitive and noncompetitive inhibition, as the binding dynamics directly influence enzyme activity and reaction rates.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Indicate whether each of the following describes a competitive or a noncompetitive inhibitor.
e. Adding more substrate to the reaction restores the enzyme activity.
Textbook Question
The enzyme urease functions in the body to catalyze the formation of ammonia and carbon dioxide from urea as shown:
Describe what effect the following changes would have on the rate of this reaction assuming a steady state has been reached:
a. adding excess urea
Textbook Question
How would the following changes affect enzyme activity for an enzyme whose optimal conditions are normal body temperature and physiological pH?
a. raising the temperature from 37 °C to 60 °C
Textbook Question
Indicate whether each of the following describes a competitive or a noncompetitive inhibitor.
c. The inhibitor competes with the substrate for the active site.
Textbook Question
What kind of interaction attracts the cofactor Mg2+ and ATP to each other? (Hint: Look at the structure of the phosphate group.)