Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

3. Energy & Cell Processes

Enzyme Binding Factors

Anatomy & Physiology

3. Energy & Cell Processes

Enzyme Binding Factors

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4:21 minutes

Problem 10

Textbook Question

You have discovered an enzyme that appears to function only when a particular sugar accumulates. Which of the following scenarios would you predict to be responsible for activating this enzyme?a. The sugar cleaves the enzyme to form the active conformation.b. The sugar is an allosteric regulatory molecule for the enzyme.c. The sugar is a competitive inhibitor for the enzyme.d. The sugar phosphorylates the enzyme to form the active conformation

Verified step by step guidance

insert step 1: Understand the role of enzymes and how they can be activated or inhibited. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions, and their activity can be regulated by various mechanisms.

insert step 2: Consider the role of allosteric regulation. Allosteric regulation involves the binding of a molecule at a site other than the active site, which can change the enzyme's conformation and activity.

insert step 3: Evaluate the possibility of competitive inhibition. Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site of the enzyme, preventing the substrate from binding. This typically does not activate an enzyme.

insert step 4: Analyze the concept of enzyme cleavage. Some enzymes are activated by cleavage, which changes their conformation to an active form.

insert step 5: Consider phosphorylation as a regulatory mechanism. Phosphorylation involves the addition of a phosphate group, which can activate or deactivate enzymes by altering their conformation.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Enzyme Activation

Enzyme activation refers to the process by which an enzyme is converted from an inactive form to an active form, allowing it to catalyze reactions. This can occur through various mechanisms, including the binding of specific molecules that induce conformational changes in the enzyme structure, thereby enhancing its activity.

Allosteric Regulation

Allosteric regulation involves the binding of a molecule at a site other than the enzyme's active site, leading to a change in the enzyme's shape and function. Allosteric regulators can either enhance (activators) or inhibit (inhibitors) enzyme activity, providing a means of fine-tuning metabolic pathways in response to cellular conditions.

Competitive Inhibition

Competitive inhibition occurs when a molecule similar in structure to the substrate competes for binding at the active site of the enzyme. This type of inhibition can be overcome by increasing substrate concentration, as the inhibitor and substrate vie for the same binding site, ultimately affecting the overall rate of the enzymatic reaction.