Bacteria use the enzyme urease to obtain nitrogen in a form they can use from urea in the following reaction:
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What purpose does the enzyme serve in this reaction? What type of reaction is this?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions: Enzymes act as catalysts that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.
2. Determine the specific function of urease: Urease catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, making nitrogen available for bacterial use.
3. Classify the type of reaction: The reaction catalyzed by urease is a hydrolysis reaction, where water is used to break chemical bonds.
4. Understand the importance of nitrogen: Nitrogen is a crucial element for bacterial growth and metabolism, as it is a key component of amino acids and nucleic acids.
5. Connect the enzyme's function to bacterial survival: By converting urea into usable nitrogen, urease helps bacteria thrive in environments where nitrogen sources are limited.

Key Concepts

Urease Function

Urease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. This reaction is crucial for bacteria as it allows them to convert urea, a nitrogenous waste product, into ammonia, which can be utilized for synthesizing amino acids and other nitrogen-containing compounds necessary for growth and metabolism.

Enzyme Catalysis

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. In the case of urease, it facilitates the breakdown of urea efficiently, enabling bacteria to thrive in environments where urea is present, thus playing a vital role in nitrogen metabolism.

Hydrolysis Reaction

Hydrolysis is a type of chemical reaction where water is used to break down a compound. In this context, the hydrolysis of urea by urease results in the formation of ammonia and carbon dioxide, illustrating how water participates in the reaction to convert a stable molecule into more reactive forms that bacteria can utilize.