Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics

Electrostatic and Metal Ion Catalysis

Biochemistry

6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics

Electrostatic and Metal Ion Catalysis

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Multiple Choice

Catalysis by the enzyme urease is inhibited in the presence of Hg, Cd, or Co ions. What could this information potentially suggest about the catalytic mechanism of urease?

Urease uses acid-base catalysis.

Urease uses covalent catalysis.

Urease uses noncovalent catalysis.

Urease uses metal ion catalysis.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of metal ions in enzyme catalysis: Metal ions can act as cofactors that are essential for the catalytic activity of certain enzymes. They can stabilize negative charges, participate in redox reactions, or help in the proper orientation of substrates.

Identify the effect of metal ions on urease: The inhibition of urease activity by Hg, Cd, or Co ions suggests that these ions interfere with the enzyme's normal function, possibly by displacing or altering the essential metal ions required for catalysis.

Consider the types of catalysis: Acid-base catalysis involves the transfer of protons, covalent catalysis involves the formation of a transient covalent bond between the enzyme and substrate, and noncovalent catalysis involves weak interactions like hydrogen bonds or van der Waals forces. Metal ion catalysis specifically involves the participation of metal ions in the catalytic process.

Relate inhibition to metal ion catalysis: The fact that urease activity is inhibited by certain metal ions suggests that the enzyme likely relies on metal ions for its catalytic mechanism. These ions could be essential for the enzyme's structure or function, and their displacement by Hg, Cd, or Co disrupts the enzyme's activity.

Conclude the catalytic mechanism: Given the inhibition by metal ions, it is reasonable to conclude that urease uses metal ion catalysis, where specific metal ions are crucial for its enzymatic activity.