/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 18 The enzyme that catalyzes the co... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

The enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide to carbonic acid is ____.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The enzyme is carbonic anhydrase.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Reaction

Understand the chemical reaction that involves carbon dioxide being converted to carbonic acid. The reaction is as follows:\[ \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 \]In this reaction, carbon dioxide (CO extsubscript{2}) interacts with water (H extsubscript{2}O) to form carbonic acid (H extsubscript{2}CO extsubscript{3}).
02

Identify the Enzyme

Identify the enzyme known to catalyze the conversion of carbon dioxide to carbonic acid. This enzyme is called carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic anhydrase is crucial in speeding up this reaction, which is essential for maintaining acid-base balance in blood and tissues.
03

Verify and Conclude

Check and verify that carbonic anhydrase is indeed the enzyme that catalyzes this reaction. Research shows that carbonic anhydrase effectively facilitates the rapid interconversion of CO extsubscript{2} and water to bicarbonate and protons.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Enzyme Catalysis
Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body by lowering the energy required for the reaction to occur. Enzyme catalysis is the process through which enzymes accelerate a reaction. In the case of carbonic anhydrase, the enzyme catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide into carbonic acid. This process is crucial as it allows the reaction to proceed rapidly, which is essential for biological functions. Without enzymes like carbonic anhydrase, reactions would occur too slowly to sustain life.
Here鈥檚 more about how enzyme catalysis works:
  • Enzymes bind temporarily to substrate molecules (the molecules they convert), forming a complex.
  • This complex lowers the activation energy of the reaction, making it easier for the reaction to proceed.
  • Once the reaction is complete, the enzyme releases the products and can be used again.
The role of carbonic anhydrase in enzyme catalysis highlights its importance in efficient and rapid chemical reactions, allowing organisms to maintain their critical functions.
Carbon Dioxide Conversion
Carbon dioxide conversion is a fundamental reaction where carbon dioxide interacts with water to form carbonic acid. This reaction is facilitated by carbonic anhydrase, which speeds up the process considerably.
In the absence of carbonic anhydrase, the conversion of CO鈧 to carbonic acid would occur very slowly, disrupting crucial physiological processes.
Here鈥檚 how carbonic anhydrase aids in CO鈧 conversion:
  • In the reaction: \[ \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 \]
  • Carbonic anhydrase accelerates the forward reaction where CO鈧 combines with H鈧侽 to form H鈧侰O鈧.
  • This conversion is vital for transporting CO鈧 from tissues to the lungs in the form of bicarbonate ions in blood plasma.
The enzyme ensures that CO鈧, a waste product of cellular respiration, is swiftly converted and transported, promoting efficient gas exchange and supporting cellular metabolism.
Acid-Base Balance
Maintaining acid-base balance is critical for homeostasis in the body, and carbonic anhydrase plays a vital role in this process. The enzyme not only facilitates the conversion of CO鈧 and H鈧侽 to H鈧侰O鈧 but also helps regulate the pH level in blood and tissues. Carbonic acid is a weak acid that dissociates into bicarbonate ions and protons (H鈦 ions), which directly influence acidity and alkalinity.
Here鈥檚 how acid-base balance is maintained:
  • Bicarbonate serves as a buffer, neutralizing excess acids or bases in the blood.
  • By controlling the concentration of CO鈧 and H鈧侰O鈧, carbonic anhydrase indirectly regulates blood pH.
  • The reversible reaction also allows the body to exhale excess CO鈧, helping expel acidity from the system.
This enzymatic action ensures that the body's internal environment remains stable, capable of supporting various biological processes and reacting to changes efficiently.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A rise in arterial \(P_{\mathrm{CO}_{2}}\) triggers an increase in ventilation by stimulating both central and peripheral chemoreceptors. The response of central chemoreceptors is due to a) Diffusion of carbon dioxide into brain extracellular fluid, which stimulates chemoreceptors directly- b) Diffusion of hydrogen ions into brain extracellular fluid, which stimulates chemoreceptors directly. c) Diffusion of carbon dioxide into brain extracellular fluid, which reacts with water to form hydrogen ions, which stimulate chemoreceptors directly. d) Diffusion of carbon dioxide into brain extracellular fluid, which reacts with water to form bicarbonate ions, which stimulate chemoreceptors directly. e) Direct stimulation by hydrogen ions in arterial blood.

An increase in the \(\mathrm{P}_{2}\) of alveolar air would be expected to trigger local (vasoconstriction/vasodilation).

Explain how changes in blood \(P_{\mathrm{CO}_{2}}\) affect loading and unloading of oxygen in the lungs and in respiring tissues.

An increase in the \(\mathrm{POO}_{2}\) of alveolar air would be expected to trigger local (bronchoconstriction/bronchodilation) in airways.

Under steady-state conditions, the rate at which oxygen enters pulmonary capillaries from alveolar air is equal to a) The rate at which oxygen is delivered to alveoli in inspired air. b) The rate at which oxygen is carried out of the alveoli in expired air. c) The rate at which oxygen is consumed in respiring tissues. d) The rate at which carbon dioxide is produced in respiring tissues. e) The rate at which carbon dioxide leaves the pulmonary capillaries and enters alveolar air.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.