Question

Most enzymes are quite specific, catalyzing a particular reaction on a set of substrates that are structurally quite similar to one another. Discuss why this is advantageous from a biological perspective. Suggest why this is likely to be true from a chemical perspective. That is, why would it be difficult to evolve an enzyme with high catalytic activity but low specificity?

Answer 1

Enzyme which cause catalyzed particular metabolic reaction is quite specific which has ability to sense a smallest change like increase of decrease in no. Of even single hydrogen atom on substrate structure.

As this changes cannot be of much affect the rate of chemical reaction taking place in test tube but on surface of enzyme, this change recognised a big change like left or right hand as new cahnge substarte won't be able to bind on the surface of enzyme and hence no biological reaction.

It's difficult to evolve enzyme which can show low specificity and high catalytic reaction as here interection with substarte ocurat molecular level so any minute changes cannot be avoided and if enzyme evolved then it's specificity will be loss in return of gaining high rate of catalysis.

Hope it's clear..thanks