Imagine that 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 ʺchlorinatedʺ 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?
A) No; sucralose is an ion and not a true carbohydrate.
B) No; all enzymes are highly specific and can react with only a specific substrate.
C) Yes; enzymes such as sucrase are not specific for their substrate.
D) Yes; the enzymes in human cells can interact with artificial sweeteners as if they were sugars.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Enzymes are highly specific to their substrates due to the precise fit required between the enzyme and the substrate. The structural changes in sucralose, such as the replacement of hydroxyl groups with chlorine atoms, would likely prevent sucrase from recognizing or properly binding to it, thus inhibiting the enzyme's ability to catalyze its breakdown.

Imagine That You Are Conducting an Experiment on an Enzyme