Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

7. Energy and Metabolism

Enzyme Binding Factors

General Biology

7. Energy and Metabolism

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

Understand the role of the sugar in enzyme activation. The problem suggests that the enzyme functions only when a particular sugar accumulates, indicating that the sugar plays a role in activating the enzyme.

Consider the concept of allosteric regulation. Allosteric regulation involves a molecule binding to a site other than the active site on an enzyme, causing a conformational change that affects enzyme activity. This is a common mechanism for enzyme activation.

Evaluate the option of the sugar being an allosteric regulatory molecule. If the sugar acts as an allosteric regulator, it would bind to the enzyme at a site other than the active site, inducing a conformational change that activates the enzyme.

Analyze the other options: a) Cleavage of the enzyme by the sugar would imply a permanent change, which is less common for reversible regulation. c) Competitive inhibition involves the sugar competing with the substrate for the active site, which would inhibit rather than activate the enzyme. d) Phosphorylation typically involves the addition of a phosphate group, not a sugar, to activate an enzyme.

Conclude that the most likely scenario is that the sugar acts as an allosteric regulatory molecule, as this aligns with the reversible and regulatory nature of enzyme activation in response to the accumulation of a specific molecule.

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Key Concepts

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

Allosteric Regulation

Allosteric regulation involves the binding of a molecule at a site other than the enzyme's active site, causing a conformational change that affects enzyme activity. This can either activate or inhibit the enzyme. In the context of the question, if the sugar acts as an allosteric regulator, it would bind to the enzyme and induce a change that activates the enzyme.

Competitive Inhibition

Competitive inhibition occurs when a molecule similar in structure to the substrate competes for binding at the enzyme's active site. This prevents the actual substrate from binding, thereby inhibiting enzyme activity. In the scenario described, if the sugar were a competitive inhibitor, it would not activate the enzyme but rather block its function.

Enzyme Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation is a common post-translational modification where a phosphate group is added to an enzyme, often resulting in a functional change. This can activate or deactivate the enzyme. If the sugar phosphorylates the enzyme, it could potentially activate the enzyme by altering its conformation to a more active state.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Label the parts of the following diagram illustrating the catalytic cycle of an enzyme.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following correctly describe an active site? Select True or False for each statement.

T/F It is the location in an enzyme where substrates bind.

T/F It is the place where a molecule or ion binds to an inactive enzyme to induce a shape change to make it active.

T/F It is the portion of an enzyme where chaperones bind to help enzymes fold.

T/F It is the site on an enzyme where catalysis occurs.

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Textbook Question

Explain the lock-and-key model of enzyme activity. What is incorrect about this model?

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Textbook Question

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions by ________.

a. Heating cells

b. Binding to substrates and placing stress on their bonds

c. Changing the shape of the cell

d. Supplying energy to the substrate

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Textbook Question

Your body makes NAD⁺ and FAD from two B vitamins, niacin and riboflavin. The Recommended Dietary Allowance is 20 mg for niacin and 1.7 mg for riboflavin. These amounts are thousands of times less than the amount of glucose your body needs each day to fuel its energy needs.

Why is the daily requirement for these vitamins so small?

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Multiple Choice

The organic non-protein components that aid in enzyme catalysis are called:

What is meant by the "induced fit" of an enzyme?

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