Question

The enzyme ”turns on” when its:

• A. Active site joins in an ”imperfect fit” with substrates.
• B. Active site joins in a ”perfect fit” with another enzyme.
• C. Inactive site joins in a ”perfect fit” with substrates.
• D. Inactive site joins in a ”perfect fit” with the substrate’s site.

Hint:

Allosteric regulation involves binding at the inactive site to activate the enzyme. Focus on the relationship between enzyme structure and regulation to solve such questions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The activation of an enzyme through its inactive site is a feature of allosteric regulation. In this mechanism, the inactive site binds with specific molecules (allosteric activators) in a ”perfect fit,” causing a conformational change in the enzyme. This change activates the enzyme, allowing the active site to bind to its substrate and catalyze the reaction efficiently. This process is crucial for regulating enzyme activity in response to cellular signals.