AP BIOLOGY

BIOCHEMISTRY

ENZYMES AND METABOLISM

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Zinc, an essential trace element for most organisms, is present in the active site of the enzyme carboxypeptidase. The zinc most likely functions as ____
A
a noncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme
B
an allosteric activator of the enzyme
C
a cofactor necessary for enzyme activity
D
a coenzyme derived from a vitamin
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Zinc, an essential trace element for most organisms, is present in the active site of the enzyme carboxypeptidase. The zinc most likely functions as a? Cofactor necessary for enzyme activity.

Detailed explanation-2: -Zinc is an essential trace element for human nutrition that is an integral part of many enzyme systems, including DNA polymerase complex. Zinc deficiency has been associated with stunting of growth and sexual immaturity. In children, deficiency causes a fatal condition called acrodermatitis enteropathica.

Detailed explanation-3: -Zinc is a trace element known to be an essential nutrient for life. It functions as a cofactor for numerous enzymes, including those involved in DNA and RNA replication and protein synthesis.

Detailed explanation-4: -Answer and Explanation: Allosteric activators are the substances that help the enzyme properly binding to a substrate due to changes in the active site conformation. In the enzyme carboxypeptidase, a single zinc atom acts as an allosteric activator and helps the enzyme to bind its substrate.

Detailed explanation-5: -The biochemistry of zinc began in 1939 when erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase was found to contain stoichiometric amounts of zinc and the zinc was shown to be essential for its enzymatic activity (7).

There is 1 question to complete.