Question

____ are small chemical components, usually organic ions, such as Zn 2+, Cu 2+, and Mn2+ that are often found in the active site participating directly in catalysis.

1) Enzymes
2) Catalysts
3) Substrates
4) Cofactors

Answer 1

Cofactors are inorganic ions like Zn2+, Cu2+, and Mn2+ that are crucial for the function and catalytic activity of enzymes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The small chemical components, usually organic ions, such as Zn2+, Cu2+, and Mn2+ that are often found in the active site participating directly in catalysis are known as cofactors. Cofactors are essential for the proper functioning of many enzymes, and they can be either inorganic ions or small organic molecules. Inorganic cofactors such as zinc, copper, and manganese help stabilize enzyme conformation and assist in catalysis. Many of these cofactors are metal ions which are crucial for the enzyme's activity, as they might be directly involved in chemical reactions or required for maintaining the active site structure that allows for catalysis.