The cofactors NAD + , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , coenzyme A, FAD, and Ni 2+ are all needed by your body for enzymatic reactions. a. Which cofactors are coenzymes?

All right. Hello everyone. So this question says to consider the following cofactors. And here we have ATP magnesium ion, iron ion biotin N ad P positive and manganese ion which of these cofactors are co enzymes. Now recall first and foremost that a cofactor is essentially required for enzyme function. So a cofactor could be something like a molecule or ion that is required for an enzyme to catalyze a given reaction. Now we can take this a step further and talk specifically about co enzymes. Now, co enzymes are in principle similar to cofactors in the general sense. But what distinguishes the co enzyme from the co factor is that a coenzyme must be organic and a nonprotein substance, a nonprotein organic compound. This is in contrast to cofactors that can be inorganic substances such as ions, for example. So with that in mind, let's consider the list that we are given. First off. We have ATP otherwise known as adenosine triphosphate. This is an organic molecule that is also a co factor. So at P is going to be added into our list here. Our next two choices are the magnesium and iron ions. Once again, these are inorganic ions that would make them cofactors, not co enzymes. On the other hand, though we have biotin, otherwise known as vitamin B seven, now, biotin as the name implies is indeed a coenzyme and it's specifically involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and amino acids for your information. So, biotin would be a co enzyme. And up next, we have an A DP positive N AD P positive, otherwise known as nicotinamide adenine, dinucleotide phosphate is in fact an organic molecule. And is there a co enzyme because it's an organic molecule that acts as a coenzyme in redox reactions. Now, last up on the list is manganese ion which as mentioned before, when talking about the magnesium and iron ions is inorganic. It's a metal ion and is therefore not a coenzyme. And so out of our list, we have three co enzymes in total. So our answer is a TP biotin and N AD P positive. And so with that being said, thank you so very much for watching. And I hope you found this helpful.

Table of contents

Skip topic navigation

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy

Intro to Coenzymes

GOB Chemistry

21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy

Intro to Coenzymes

Previous problemNext problem

3:29 minutes

Problem 3a

Textbook Question

The cofactors NAD⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, coenzyme A, FAD, and Ni²⁺ are all needed by your body for enzymatic reactions.
a. Which cofactors are coenzymes?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the difference between cofactors and coenzymes: Cofactors are non-protein chemical compounds or metallic ions required for enzyme activity. Coenzymes are a specific type of cofactor that are organic molecules, often derived from vitamins, and they assist enzymes by transferring chemical groups or electrons.

Review the list of cofactors provided in the problem: NAD+, Cu2+, Zn2+, coenzyme A, FAD, and Ni2+.

Identify which of these are organic molecules (coenzymes) versus metallic ions (inorganic cofactors). Organic molecules typically contain carbon and hydrogen and are often derived from vitamins.

Classify NAD+, coenzyme A, and FAD as coenzymes because they are organic molecules that assist enzymes in transferring electrons or chemical groups during reactions.

Classify Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ as metallic ion cofactors (not coenzymes) because they are inorganic and do not meet the criteria for coenzymes.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

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

Cofactors vs. Coenzymes

Cofactors are non-protein chemical compounds that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions. They can be metal ions like Cu2+ and Zn2+, or organic molecules. Coenzymes are a specific type of cofactor that are organic molecules, often derived from vitamins, and are necessary for enzyme function. Understanding the distinction between these terms is crucial for identifying which cofactors in the question are classified as coenzymes.

Role of Coenzymes in Enzymatic Reactions

Coenzymes play a vital role in enzymatic reactions by acting as carriers for chemical groups or electrons. They often participate in the reaction by temporarily binding to the enzyme and substrate, facilitating the conversion of substrates into products. Examples include coenzyme A and FAD, which are involved in various metabolic pathways, highlighting their importance in biochemical processes.

Examples of Coenzymes

Common examples of coenzymes include NAD+, FAD, and coenzyme A. NAD+ is crucial for redox reactions, while FAD is involved in the citric acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation. Coenzyme A is essential for the synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids and the metabolism of carbohydrates. Recognizing these examples helps in understanding which cofactors listed in the question are coenzymes.

Watch next

Master Intro to Coenzymes Concept 1 with a bite sized video explanation from Jules

Start learning