Breaking Bonds versus Chopping Heads:: The Enzyme as Butcher

• Todd P. Silverstein ^[1]
  1. [1] Willamette University

     Willamette University

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 72, Nº 7 (July), 1995, págs. 645-646
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Enzyme catalysis is a core topic in any introductory biochemistry course. It is sometimes difficult for students to relate kinetic parameters from the Michaelis-Menten treatment to the actual behavior of the enzyme-substrate complex. Intricate aspects of enzyme activity such as allosteric regulation and cooperativity are even harder to assimilate. Likening an enzyme to an old-fashioned butcher (or fowl slaughterer) helps students visualize many of these abstract concepts and invariably makes them smile as well!