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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best distinguishes covalent catalysis from acid-base catalysis in enzyme mechanisms?
A
Covalent catalysis involves the formation of a transient covalent bond between the enzyme and substrate, whereas acid-base catalysis involves the transfer of protons to or from the substrate.
B
Acid-base catalysis always results in the formation of a covalent intermediate, while covalent catalysis does not.
C
Covalent catalysis requires metal ions as cofactors, while acid-base catalysis does not.
D
Both covalent catalysis and acid-base catalysis involve only non-covalent interactions between enzyme and substrate.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the two types of catalysis mentioned in the problem: covalent catalysis and acid-base catalysis. Covalent catalysis involves the formation of a transient covalent bond between the enzyme and the substrate during the reaction. Acid-base catalysis, on the other hand, involves the transfer of protons (H⁺) to or from the substrate to stabilize intermediates or facilitate the reaction.
Step 2: Analyze the first statement: 'Covalent catalysis involves the formation of a transient covalent bond between the enzyme and substrate, whereas acid-base catalysis involves the transfer of protons to or from the substrate.' This statement correctly describes the fundamental difference between the two mechanisms.
Step 3: Evaluate the second statement: 'Acid-base catalysis always results in the formation of a covalent intermediate, while covalent catalysis does not.' This is incorrect because acid-base catalysis does not necessarily involve covalent intermediates; it primarily involves proton transfer.
Step 4: Assess the third statement: 'Covalent catalysis requires metal ions as cofactors, while acid-base catalysis does not.' This is incorrect because covalent catalysis does not inherently require metal ions; metal ions may be involved in some enzyme mechanisms but are not a defining feature of covalent catalysis.
Step 5: Examine the fourth statement: 'Both covalent catalysis and acid-base catalysis involve only non-covalent interactions between enzyme and substrate.' This is incorrect because covalent catalysis explicitly involves the formation of a covalent bond between the enzyme and substrate, which is not a non-covalent interaction.