Question

Match the following co-factors with their examples:

• A. Catalase
• B. Zinc
• C. NADP

Answer 1

Three kinds of co-factors are identified:

• Prosthetic groups: They are organic compounds that are tightly bound to the apoenzyme. Examples: catalase and peroxidase.
• Co-enzymes: They are also organic compounds but their association with apoenzyme is only transient. Examples: NAD and NADP.
• Metal ions: They are inorganic metals which form coordinate bonds at the active site of the enzyme with the substrate. Example: zinc ion in the proteolytic enzyme carboxypeptidase.