In order to increase the overall rate of a metabolic pathway consisting of five reactions catalyzed by five different enzymes,which must occur?
A)Increasing the reaction rate of all five enzymes
B)Increasing the reaction rate of the fastest enzyme
C)Increasing the reaction rate of the slowest enzyme
D)Increasing the reaction rate of the first enzyme in the pathway
E)Increasing the reaction rate of the last enzyme in the pathway

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The overall rate of a metabolic pathway is limited by the slowest enzyme in the pathway. Therefore, in order to increase the overall rate of the pathway, it is necessary to increase the reaction rate of the slowest enzyme. Increasing the reaction rate of all five enzymes or only the fastest enzyme or the first enzyme or the last enzyme may not necessarily increase the overall rate of the pathway if the slowest enzyme still acts as a bottleneck.

In Order to Increase the Overall Rate of a Metabolic