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Metal ions as cofactors

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Many enzymes use metal ions as cofactors. Carboxypeptidase A is one such enzyme, requiring a zinc ion for catalytic activity. Carboxypeptidase A exploits the chemistry of its zinc ion, which is positively-charged, in order to increase the rate of the reaction.
(I) Explain the role of the zinc ion in the first step of catalysis (the "Michaelis complex").
(II) Explain the role of the zinc ion in the second step of the reaction (the "Tetrahedral intermediate").

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Solution Summary

An explanation of the role of the zinc ion in the first step of catalysis is given. The solution explains the role of the zinc ion in the second step of the reaction.

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Many enzymes use metal ions as cofactors. Carboxypeptidase A is one such enzyme, requiring a zinc ion for catalytic activity. Carboxypeptidase A exploits the chemistry of its zinc ion, which is positively-charged, in order to increase the rate of the reaction.

(I) Explain the role of the zinc ion in the first step of catalysis (the "Michaelis complex").

The Zn2+ ion is polarizing the H-O bond in water. Specifically, the positive charge of the zinc ion is attracted to ...

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