Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Lyase Enzymes
Lyases are a class of enzymes that catalyze the breaking of chemical bonds by means other than hydrolysis or oxidation. They often facilitate the addition or removal of groups to or from double bonds, resulting in the formation of new compounds. In the context of fumarate and malate, lyases play a crucial role in the conversion between these two substrates.
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Substrates and Products
In biochemical reactions, substrates are the starting materials that undergo transformation, while products are the end results of the reaction. In the lyase-catalyzed reaction involving fumarate and malate, fumarate acts as the substrate that is converted into malate, which is the product. Understanding the relationship between substrates and products is essential for analyzing enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
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Enzyme-Substrate Complex Concept 1
Chemical Change
A chemical change refers to a process where substances undergo a transformation that alters their chemical structure, resulting in the formation of new substances. In the reaction between fumarate and malate, the chemical change involves the addition of water (hydration) or the removal of a small molecule, leading to the interconversion of these two compounds. Recognizing the nature of these changes is vital for understanding metabolic pathways.
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Physical & Chemical Changes