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Living organisms cannot survive without the presence of enzymes - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 4 - 2008 - Paper 1
Question 4
Living organisms cannot survive without the presence of enzymes. a. Explain why enzymes are necessary in living organisms. b. Describe the ‘active site’ of a... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Living organisms cannot survive without the presence of enzymes - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 4 - 2008 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain why enzymes are necessary in living organisms.
Answer
Enzymes are essential for life because they act as catalysts in biochemical reactions. They accelerate reactions by lowering the activation energy required for those reactions to occur, enabling metabolic processes to happen at a rate that sustains life. Without enzymes, many necessary reactions would occur too slowly or not at all.
Step 2
Describe the ‘active site’ of an enzyme and explain its role.
Answer
The active site of an enzyme is a specific region where substrate molecules bind. This site is often a pocket or groove on the enzyme’s surface, uniquely shaped to fit the substrate. The role of the active site is crucial as it facilitates the conversion of substrates into products by positioning them correctly and stabilizing the transition state, ultimately lowering the activation energy of the reaction.
Step 3
Write a short paragraph to explain the phrase rational drug design.
Answer
Rational drug design involves the systematic analysis of a biological problem to identify potential drug targets. This process includes understanding the molecular structure of a target, such as an enzyme, and creating a drug that can specifically interact with that structure to inhibit or enhance its activity. By leveraging knowledge of the disease mechanism and the structure-function relationship of the target, drugs can be designed to improve efficacy and reduce side effects.
Step 4
Step 5
Give the reasons for your choice in part i.
Answer
Designed drug two has the most complementary points to the active site of ACE, allowing it to effectively block or inhibit the enzyme's activity. This would reduce the production of Angiotensin II, thereby contributing to lower levels of blood pressure.
Step 6
Explain the process by which this drug would contribute to lowering blood pressure in a person.
Answer
The drug would work by binding to the active site of the ACE, either blocking it from interacting with Angiotensin I or competing with Angiotensin II. By inhibiting this enzyme, the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II would be reduced, leading to decreased levels of Angiotensin II in the bloodstream. This reduction would lower blood vessel constriction and fluid retention, ultimately contributing to lower blood pressure.