Question

What enzyme category does hexokinase belong to?

a. Ligase
b. Transferase
c. Isomerase
d. Kinase

Answer 1

Hexokinase is an enzyme that functions as a kinase, which is a subtype of transferases known for transferring phosphate groups.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hexokinase belongs to the category of enzymes known as kinases. Kinases are a type of transferase that specifically transfer phosphate groups. In the case of hexokinase, it phosphorylates glucose using ATP, which is an important step in the glycolytic pathway. This modification essentially traps the glucose inside the cell by converting it to glucose-6-phosphate, a molecule that cannot easily cross the cell membrane due to its charged nature. This reaction, while mildly endergonic, is critical for cellular metabolism.

Answer 2

Hexokinase is a type of kinase, which falls under the category of transferase enzymes (Option D), that adds a phosphate group to glucose to form glucose-6-phosphate as part of the glycolysis pathway.

Step-by-step explanation:

The enzyme category that hexokinase belongs to is Kinase. Hexokinase is a type of transferase enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to glucose, forming glucose-6-phosphate.

This process is crucial in the first step of the glycolysis pathway, where glucose must be phosphorylated to be retained within the cell for metabolism.

By converting glucose into glucose-6-phosphate, hexokinase essentially traps the glucose inside the cell, as the phosphorylated glucose cannot easily cross the cell membrane.

The transfer of the phosphate group is an example of a transferase enzyme carrying out its substrate-specific action.

Hence, the correct answer is Option D.