All chemical reactions are theoretically reversible. However, many biological reactions are irreversible. Which factor(s) contribute to the irreversibility of biological reactions?
Enzyme kinetics
In biochemistry, enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts. Catalysis is the addition of a catalyst to a chemical reaction to speed up the pace of the reaction. Catalysis can be categorized as either homogeneous or heterogeneous, depending on whether the catalysts are distributed in the same phase as that of the reactants. Enzymes are an essential part of the cell because, without them, many organic processes would slow down and thus will affect the processes that are important for cell survival and sustenance.
Regulation of Enzymes
A substance that acts as a catalyst to regulate the reaction rate in the living organism's metabolic pathways without itself getting altered is an enzyme. Most of the biological reactions and metabolic pathways in the living systems are carried out by enzymes. They are specific for their works and work in particular conditions. It maintains the best possible rate of reaction in the most stable state. The enzymes have distinct properties as they can proceed with the reaction in any direction, their particular binding sites, pH specificity, temperature specificity required in very few amounts.
All
a. high energy requirements
b. product removal
c. state of
d. a and b
e. a, b, and c
Consider the conversion of a species 'A' to 'B'. This reaction takes place spontaneously , if energy gets released as A gets converted to B. These are exergonic reactions. If this reaction is spontaneous, then its reverse reaction (conversion of B to A) wont happen spontaneously without any external help, as the reverse reaction would require energy. These are endergonic reactions.
If both the forward and reverse reactions can take place in a biological system, then these reactions are called reversible. If the reaction can only take place in one direction in a biological system, then these reactions are called irreversible.
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps