III.1 Catalysis

8 important questions on III.1 Catalysis

How is enzyme specificity brought about?

Enzyme specificity is brought about by a large number of weak non-covalent bonds.

What happens to a system when it is in the transition state?

When a system is in the transition state it will move forward to products or back to substrates, this happens by chance.

What are the general mechanisms enzymes utilize to achieve catalysis?

  • Electrostatic catalysis
  • Acid-base catalysis
  • Covalent catalysis
  • Metal ion catalysis
  • Nucleophilic attack
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What is electrostatic catalysis?

In electrostatic catalysis, the charges on an enzyme invoke reorientation within a substrate.

What is acid-base catalysis? What are the three forms?

Acid-base catalysis is when an enzyme accepts or donates protons from or to the substrate. The three forms are:
  • General acid catalysis: a process in which (partial) proton transfer from an acid lowers the free energy of a reaction's transition state.
  • General base catalysis: accelerates the rate of a reaction by (partial) proton abstraction
  • Concerted acid-base catalysis: a combination of general acid catalysis and general base catalysis

What is covalent catalysis?

Covalent catalysis is when an enzyme/substrate complex transiently establishes covalent bonds.

What is metal ion catalysis?

Metal ion catalysis is often used to mediate redox reactions.

What is a nucleophilic attack?

A nucleophilic attack is when a nucleophile 'attacks' the positive atom so a reaction goes faster.

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