Biochemistry Quiz

Name: JAY-AR D. MALANA Score:_____________

Course: BS Biology 2-C Date: 03-31-2021

A. Answer the following questions briefly:

1. What is the general role of enzymes in the human body?

Generally, enzymes acts as catalyst that aids in the speeding up and regulation of different
cellular processes in the body. As we all know, humans are made up of cells-tissues-organs-organ
systems that are integrated as a whole and in a cellular level, there are myriad cellular processes that
needs enzymes to speed up the process. Hence, enzymes are catalysts.

2. Why does the body need so many different enzymes?

The human body is a complex entity that is defined by different parts, cells, tissues, organs and
organ systems integrated as a whole. Each part has its own specific function to play that requires
enzyme as its catalyst. These enzymes are very specific and without them, cellular processes most
possibly would slow down and may result to death.

3. List two ways in which enzymes differ from inorganic laboratory catalysts?

 Enzymes promote SPECIFIC reaction while inorganic catalysts promote DIVERSE reactions.
 Enzymes are more sensitive to pH and temperature while inorganic catalysts are less
sensitive to it.

4. Occasionally the “delicate” nature of enzymes is referred to. Explain why this adjective
is appropriate.

The delicate nature of enzyme being referred to is the denaturation of enzymes. Enzymes are
proteins which means they have definite structures and any alteration of physical conditions such as pH
and temperature might result to the loss of function and destruction of protein structure responsible for
the enzyme activity. Hence, the term “delicate”.

5. What is the difference between a co factor and a coenzyme?

Cofactor is a non-protein chemical (usually metal ions) compound that tightly and loosely binds
with an enzyme or other protein molecules for it to function properly. On the other hand, a coenzyme is
a small, organic, non-protein molecules that carry chemical groups between enzymes and the one that
binds to the protein molecule to achieved the desired shape and function of the active site.
 6. All coenzymes are co factors, but not all co factors are co enzymes. Explain this
statement.

Both are small organic molecules, the only difference is that cofactors functions in the enzyme
activity only while coenzymes serves as a cofactor and assists in biological transformations. Hence all
coenzymes are cofactors, but not all cofactors are coenzymes.

7. Why are co factors present in most enzymes?

Like what was mentioned, cofactors functions primarily in the enzyme activity. It assists the
enzyme to function properly. Because enzymes are extremely specific, they at least need assistance in
order to catalyze certain cellular processes and that assistance is from cofactors. Hence, they are
present in most enzymes.

8. What is the difference between an apoenzyme and a holoenzyme?

Apoenzyme is an inactive enzyme but when a cofactor binds to it, it becames active and the
apoenzyme + cofactor complex that is formed is called the holoenzyme. Hence, apoenzyme is a
component of holoenzyme while the holoenzyme is the active conjugated enzyme.

9. Temperature affects enzymatic reaction rates in two ways. An increase in temperature

can accelerate the rate of a reaction or it can stop the reaction. Explain each effects.

An increase in temperature would mean an increase of kinetic energy between molecules as

well so the enzyme would tend to be more active accelerating the rate of reaction but this can only
happen along the scope of optimum temperature. After the optimum temperature, or if the
temperature increases over that, the enzymes structure, especially, tertiary structure would be
destroyed which results now to the reduction of enzymatic activity.

10. Explain why all enzymes do not possess the same optimum pH.

Enzymes, as mentioned, are very specific. They also possess amino acid R groups near their
active sites which help in the binding of substrate to the enzyme which results to pH changes in the
enzyme. In addition, enzymes, since they are specific, they also have different and distinct active sites
which means their amino acid R groups vary from one another so we have different pH environment in
each enzyme. This is the reason why enzymes do not possess the same optimum pH

Prepared by:
Helen P. Dangani
(Faculty)