Chapter 3, Problem 17Q

A.

Summary Introduction

To determine: Whether it is safe to eat a mushroom that bears a mutation in which the enzyme that catalyzes the reaction prevents the utilization of ATP.

Introduction: Enzymes are the protein molecules that catalyze the reaction by lowering the activation energy in order to increase the fraction of molecules to attain the transition state and to increase the rate of reaction. Enzyme involving in reactions is thermodynamically feasible because the enzymes lower the activation energy barrier that slows down the rate of reaction.

Summary Introduction

To determine: The amount of less poison that the mutant mushroom would produce when the reaction is at equilibrium and stored energy in ATP is used to drive the unfavorable reaction in nonmutant mushrooms.

Introduction: Enzymes lower the activation energy of reaction in order to increase the fraction of molecules to attain the transition state and to increase the rate of reaction on both the directions. In the biochemical reaction, enzymes are specific catalyst that enhances the rate of reaction in both reverse and forward direction at the point of equilibrium but they never change the difference in free energy and the equilibrium constant.

B.

Summary Introduction

To determine: Whether it is safe or not safe for another mutant mushroom whose enzyme couples the reaction to ATP hydrolysis by working 100 times slower than the previous one.

Introduction: Enzymes are made up of proteins. These are biological catalysts that increase the rate of reaction in the body.