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Chapter 4: Problem 4

The following reaction is catalyzed by an enzyme at \(\mathrm{pH} 7\) and \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), whereas nonenzymatically, this reaction does not occur under these conditions. Explain how the enzyme can easily catalyze this reaction.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The enzyme can catalyze the given reaction which does not occur nonenzymatically under the same conditions by specifically binding to the substrate, reducing the activation energy, and making the reaction viable under those conditions. This is due to the enzyme's optimal function at the given pH and temperature.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Role of Enzymes

Enzymes are proteins that function as biological catalysts. They speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy of a reaction. Activation energy is the initial energy needed to start a chemical reaction. However, they themselves are not used up in the reaction. This ability to decrease the activation energy allows many chemical reactions in biological systems to proceed in conditions that wouldn't naturally allow them to happen such as at ambient temperatures and neutral pH.
02

Mechanism of Enzyme Action

Enzymes have the ability to bind to the reactants of the reaction, which are also known as the substrate. The specific region on the enzyme where the substrate binds is called the active site. This ability of an enzyme to bind specifically to the substrate and form an enzyme-substrate complex lowers the activation energy of the reaction. The formation of this complex aligns the reactants in the position that facilitates the breaking and making of bonds during the reaction.
03

The Role of Environmental Parameters

Enzymes work best at specific environmental conditions such as certain pH and temperature. For the given reaction, the enzyme, under the specified conditions (\(\mathrm{pH} 7\) and \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\)), is able to facilitate the reaction. This is due to the fact that these conditions are ideal for the enzyme to work properly, i.e., the enzyme's active site is optimally configured to interact with the substrate at these conditions.
04

Conclusion: Enzyme Facilitation

So, the enzyme can easily catalyze the given reaction under the said conditions, even if this reaction does not occur nonenzymatically, because it specifically binds to the substrate, forms an enzyme-substrate complex, and decreases the activation energy of the reaction. Also, as the conditions are ideal for the enzyme to function, this further aids in the reaction's progression.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

If you were using aspartate aminotransferase, and the enzyme stopped catalyzing the reaction, what \(t\) wo components of the enzyme reaction would you check?

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