Purchase Solution

Enzyme calculations and Methane

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

You are investigating the biochemical origins of cow methane emissions (belches and farts, to be blunt) which contribute to global warming.

Bacteria in the cow gut make methane and a key enzyme in the pathway is methyl-coenzyme M reductase. The turnover number of pure enzyme (mass 300 kDa) is 100 s-1. What is the specific activity of the enzyme in µmol.min-1.mg-1?

A cow typically 'emits' 100 L of methane gas a day. Given the concentration of methane in this gas is 0.05 M, how many mg of this enzyme does the cow gut contain?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

Cow methane emissions (belches and farts) which contribute to global warming are caused by the methyl coenzyme M reductase. Bacteria in the cow gut make methane with the help of this key enzyme. This solution discusses these concepts further.

Solution Preview

The turnover number of pure enzyme (mass 300 kDa) is 100 s-1. What is the specific activity of the enzyme in µmol.min-1.mg-1?

You are investigating the biochemical origins of cow methane emissions (belches and farts, to be blunt) which contribute to global warming.

Bacteria in the cow gut make the methane ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
The Transfer of Energy in an Ecosystem

This quiz will assess your knowledge of how energy is transferred in an ecosystem and the different levels of trophic organization.

Birth 101

Do you know about childbirth? Find out with this quiz.

Infant Development: Sleep

How much do you know about infant sleep? Test your knowledge with this quiz.

Pregnancy Knowledge

How much do you know about being pregnant? Test your Pregnancy IQ with this quiz!

Bacterial Genetics

This quiz test your knowledge of the genetics of bacteria.