Homework Help is Here – Start Your Trial Now!
Science
Biology
Briefly explain why a low Km enzyme rather than a high Km enzyme would be more effective (and necessary) for clearance of a toxic product like acetaldehyde.

Briefly explain why a low Km enzyme rather than a high Km enzyme would be more effective (and necessary) for clearance of a toxic product like acetaldehyde.

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
See similar textbooks
icon
Related questions
Question

Pls help ASAP, thank you!

Some individuals are more sensitive to alcohol (ethanol) than others. Sensitive individuals may exhibit facial flushing and rapid heart rate after ingesting even small quantities. In the liver, alcohol dehydrogenase converts ethanol into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde, the cause of the symptoms, is normally converted to acetate by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Humans have two forms of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, a low kM form (in liver mitochondria) and a high kM form (in liver cytosol). In susceptible persons, the mitochondrial enzyme is less active and acetaldehyde is processed only by the cytosolic enzyme. Briefly explain why a low Km enzyme rather than a high Km enzyme would be more effective (and necessary) for clearance of a toxic product like acetaldehyde.
Transcribed Image Text:Some individuals are more sensitive to alcohol (ethanol) than others. Sensitive individuals may exhibit facial flushing and rapid heart rate after ingesting even small quantities. In the liver, alcohol dehydrogenase converts ethanol into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde, the cause of the symptoms, is normally converted to acetate by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Humans have two forms of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, a low kM form (in liver mitochondria) and a high kM form (in liver cytosol). In susceptible persons, the mitochondrial enzyme is less active and acetaldehyde is processed only by the cytosolic enzyme. Briefly explain why a low Km enzyme rather than a high Km enzyme would be more effective (and necessary) for clearance of a toxic product like acetaldehyde.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

SEE SOLUTIONCheck out a sample Q&A here
Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Respiratory infections
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON
Biology 2e
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:
9781947172517
Author:
Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:
OpenStax
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780815344322
Author:
Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781260159363
Author:
Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9781260231700
Author:
Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:
McGraw Hill Education
SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS