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Question about AP Biology / Enzymes
Which site does coenzymes and cofactors binds to in an enzyme?
It can vary depending on the particular enzyme, but they can bind allosterically (not at the active site) to the enzyme while the or bind to the active site itself and sometimes interact with the substrate as well. Cofactors are inorganic while coenzymes tend to be organic in nature. Does that answer your question or do you need me to give a more in depth explanation?
Can you explain more?
I have included 3 images below.
The first one, when it says allosteric effector, that could be the cofactor. It can attach at a place other than the active site that can allow the active site to work better or just work in general.
The second picture, shows how a cofactor can actually bind to the active site itself. When it is bound to an active site, it allows the substrate to bind (or sometimes just bind better).
A coenzyme works the same way as a cofactor, in fact, a coenzyme is a cofactor, it is just a specific type of cofactor that is organic in nature (as opposed to an inorganic ion for example.
The third picture is just another description taken from the text.
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