Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 11: Q3CP (page 327)

What factors influence an enzyme’s substrate specificity?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The factors influencing an enzyme's substrate specificity are stereospecificity and geometric specificity.

Step by step solution

01

Enzyme’s substrate specificity

An enzyme's substrate specificity is a property that enables the enzyme to bind only to the specific substrate. Both enzymes and substrates have complementary sites for binding, which is explained through the "lock and key" model of enzyme function.

02

Factors that influence an enzyme’s substrate specificity.

The factors affecting the enzyme's substrate specificity are mentioned below:

  1. Stereospecificity: Enzymes are very particular in binding and catalyzing the substrates and their reactions. Stereospecificity occurs because of inherent chirality. For instance, in the citric acid cycle, the enzyme aconitase catalyzes the interconversion of citrate and isocitrate.
  2. Geometric specificity: Enzymes vary considerably in their degree of geometric specificity. A few enzymes are absolutely specific for only one compound. Most enzymes, however, catalyze the reactions of a small range of related compounds although with different efficiencies. For example, alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde faster than it oxidizes other reactions.

Hence, stereospecificity and geometric specificity affect an enzyme's substrate specificity.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Describe how different enzymes are classified and named?

What is the relationship between ΔGand∆G++?

What roles do proximity and orientation play in enzymatic catalysis?

Using the reaction shown in Box 11-1 (the attack of an amine on thecarbonyl group of a ketone) as a starting point, draw curved arrows torepresent the acid-catalyzed reaction (when the group —A—H is present).

What are the advantages of synthesizing proteases as zymogens?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Biological Structures

Read Explanation

Biological Molecules

Read Explanation

Ecosystems

Read Explanation

Ecology

Read Explanation

Biological Organisms

Read Explanation

Cells

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free