A coenzyme differs from a cofactor in that a coenzyme is
- A. an inorganic metal ion
- B. an organic molecule, often derived from a vitamin
- C. part of the polypeptide chain
- D. a type of substrate
Explanation
NAD, FAD and coenzyme A are organic helpers built from niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid respectively, whereas cofactors such as zinc and magnesium ions are inorganic. A helper bound tightly and permanently is called a prosthetic group instead. This is why vitamin deficiencies cause such widespread metabolic effects.
Related questions
Enzymes are described as biological catalysts because they
The high specificity of an enzyme for its substrate is due to
Enzyme activity is lost above about 45 degrees Celsius because
A competitive inhibitor reduces the rate of an enzyme catalysed reaction by
Heavy metal ions such as mercury and lead are poisonous partly because they