Question

How does malonate affect cellular respiration?

Answer 1

Effect of Malonate on cellular respiration:

1. Malonate is a competitive inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase due to its structural similarity to succinate.
2. Malonate competes with succinate for the enzyme's binding site due to its structural resemblance to the substrate.
3. The Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain are both aided by this enzyme.
4. The cellular activity is reduced.
5. Malonate is a competitive inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, meaning it binds to the enzyme's active site without reacting and so competes with succinate, the enzyme's substrate. As a result, the chemical malonate reduces cellular respiration.