Assignment Problem: Proteins have many structural and functional roles in living systems. The diversity of protein three-dimensional structure ensures that a specific protein can bind a specific molecule (a ligands). Protein structure, and therefore function, can be altered by the binding of ligands and cofactors, by the chemical modification of amino acid side chains, and by proteolysis. Of particular importance are enzymes, proteins that catalyze (speed up) chemical transformations in living systems. Enzyme function depends on protein structure. The principles of protein structure modification, including ligands binding and the regulation of structure and therefore activity, applied to enzymes.
1. Why might a receptors proteins structure change when a ligands binds?
2. What does it mean to say that an enzyme is a catalyst?
3. How does an enzyme achieve its catalytic properties?
4. How does competitive inhibition work?