Enzymes are often described as following the two-step mechanism: E + S Δ ES 1fast2 ES ¡ E + P 1slow2 where E = enzyme, S = substrate, ES = enzyme9substrate complex, and P = product. (b) Molecules that can bind to the active site of an enzyme but are not converted into product are called enzyme inhibitors. Write an additional elementary step to add into the preceding mechanism to account for the reaction of E with I, an inhibitor.

Video transcript

Hello everyone today. We've been given the following problem and asked to solve for it says enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions. The substrate or S attaches to the enzyme or E. To form an enzyme substrate complex. The enzyme substrate complex then associates to release the enzyme E. And the product P. So we have E plus S. Gives us the enzyme substrate catalyst and then we have the S. Dissociates into the enzyme and the product, but then says uncompetitive inhibitors or I. Are substances that bind to the enzyme substrate complex. Instead of the enzyme, like competitive inhibitors, we're being asked to write an elementary step to add to this mechanism to account for the reaction of E. S. With I. So since the uncompetitive inhibitor actually attaches to the enzyme substrate complex, the reaction would end up being the enzyme substrate complex binds to the inhibitor to give us a reversible reaction that results in the product of the enzyme substrate complex with the inhibitor. I hope this helped. And until next time.