Concept explainers
Using what you learned about the naming conventions for enzymes [p. 101], explain what the name Na+-K+-ATPase tells you about this enzyme’s actions.
To determine: The information about enzyme actions given by the name Na+-K+-ATPase.
Introduction: Enzymes are the protein molecules in the cell that speed up the chemical reactions but do not get used up in the process.
Explanation of Solution
The name of an enzyme provides important clues about the type of reaction the enzyme catalyzes. Most of the enzymes are instantly recognizable by the suffix –ase. The first part of the enzyme’s name that comes before the suffix usually refers to the type of reaction, to the substrate upon which enzyme acts or to both.
For example, Na+-K+-ATPase (sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase) has ATP (adenosine triphosphate) as its substrate.
Thus, the name of Na+-K+-ATPase enzyme provides information that ATP is the substrate on which the enzyme acts to move sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane.
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Chapter 5 Solutions
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