BIO 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Hydrolysis, Serine Protease, Leucine
Document Summary
Enzymes are typically proteins that serve as catalysts for biochemical reactions. A few rna catalysts (ribozymes) and antibody catalysts (abzymes) have been observed. Very efficient: rate enhancements of 10^5 to 10^17. Can be very specific: differentiate between chiral substrates. Specificity is determined by the structure of the active site. Efficiencies as a catalyst can also be precisely regulated by various factors. Many enzymes function without additional chemical groups. Many enzymes require additional groups (in addition to their amino acids) called cofactors. Cofactors frequently include metal ions, or larger molecules (coenzyme) - frequently including metal ions. About of enzymes are metalloenzymes - including many of the oldest enzymes. When a coenzyme is covalently bound to an enzyme, it is called a prosthetic group. A complete and active enzyme with cofactors is called a holoenzyme. There are 6 types of chemical reactions catalyzed by enzymes.
