Imagine you are conducting an experiment on an enzyme known as sucrase. This enzyme is synthesized and used by yeast cells to break down the disaccharide sucrose (table sugar)into the monosaccharides glucose and fructose. You decide to conduct an experiment to test whether the sucrase enzyme can break down the artificial sweetener sucralose. Sucralose (a "chlorinated" carbohydrate)has some chemical similarity to sucrose, but is different in that three of its hydroxyl groups are missing and replaced with chlorine atoms instead. Based on the details provided in this scenario, do you think the sucrase enzyme will be able to interact with sucralose?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Enzymes are highly specific for their substrates, meaning they can only react with a specific molecule or group of molecules. Sucrase is known to specifically bind and break down sucrose into glucose and fructose. While sucralose has some chemical similarity to sucrose, the presence of the chlorine atoms in place of hydroxyl groups is likely to inhibit binding and thus prevent the sucrase enzyme from breaking it down.

Imagine You Are Conducting an Experiment on an Enzyme Known