Two different preparations of the same enzyme are characterized below. Step Volume Total protein (mg) Total activity (activity units) Specific activity (ml) Preparation 1 300 1000 600,000 Preparation 2 200 1000 500,000 a) Fill in the 3 double-underlined blanks on the table below. b) Which of the 2 preparations would you think is likely to be more pure? Explain.
Nucleotides
It is an organic molecule made up of three basic components- a nitrogenous base, phosphate,and pentose sugar. The nucleotides are important for metabolic reactions andthe formation of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are essential biomolecules present in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and viruses. They carry the genetic information for the synthesis of proteins and cellular replication. The nucleic acids are of two types: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The structure of all proteins and ultimately every biomolecule and cellular component is a product of information encoded in the sequence of nucleic acids. Parts of a DNA molecule containing the information needed to synthesize a protein or an RNA are genes. Nucleic acids can store and transmit genetic information from one generation to the next, fundamental to any life form.
The specific activity of an enzyme is usually calculated as activity divided by the weight of the protein. It measures the enzymatic activity of the enzyme and monitors the purity of the enzyme.
- Hence, the answers to be filled in the blanks are- 600 U/mg and 500 U/mg.
- Specific activity(U/mg) is the activity(U) divided by the amount of protein (mg). It should increase during the purification. During protein purification, lots of undesired proteins are purified. The desired protein giving a particular activity remains, becoming enriched at each step. Hence, more specific activity, more is the amount of pure protein in the preparation compared to all the undesired proteins in the preparation.
Hence, preparation 1 is supposed to purer.
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