Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics

Enzyme-Substrate Complex

Biochemistry

6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics

Enzyme-Substrate Complex

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why enzymes are substrate specific?

Enzymes only interact with substrates that have the same charge as the enzyme.

The three-dimensional structure of the enzyme's active site is complementary to the substrate.

Enzymes are able to bind to any molecule due to their flexible structure.

The specificity is determined solely by the temperature and pH of the environment.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of enzyme specificity: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy. Their specificity is due to the precise three-dimensional structure of their active site, which binds to specific substrates.

Analyze the role of the active site: The active site of an enzyme is a region where the substrate binds. The shape, charge, and chemical properties of the active site are complementary to the substrate, allowing for a specific interaction.

Eliminate incorrect options: The statement 'Enzymes only interact with substrates that have the same charge as the enzyme' is incorrect because enzyme-substrate interactions depend on more than just charge, including shape and chemical compatibility. Similarly, 'Enzymes are able to bind to any molecule due to their flexible structure' is incorrect because enzymes are highly specific and do not bind to any molecule. Lastly, 'The specificity is determined solely by the temperature and pH of the environment' is incorrect because while temperature and pH affect enzyme activity, they do not solely determine specificity.

Focus on the correct explanation: The correct answer is 'The three-dimensional structure of the enzyme's active site is complementary to the substrate.' This explains why enzymes are substrate-specific, as the active site is tailored to fit only certain substrates.

Relate this concept to real-world examples: For instance, the enzyme hexokinase specifically binds glucose and not other sugars due to the complementary shape and chemical properties of its active site. This highlights the importance of enzyme-substrate specificity in biochemical processes.