Final answer:
Coenzyme A (CoA) is an example of a coenzyme, which is vital for the activity of certain enzymes like those involved in metabolic processes. It is distinct from cofactors like zinc, which are inorganic ions that also assist in enzyme functionality. Coenzymes are often derived from dietary vitamins and are necessary for enzyme catalysis and stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of a coenzyme is Coenzyme A (CoA). CoA plays a vital role in different metabolic processes such as the ß-oxidation of fatty acids, where it functions as a carrier of acetyl groups. It is an organic helper molecule that is necessary for the activity of certain enzymes. Without the presence of this coenzyme, the corresponding enzymes, known as apoenzymes, would remain inactive. When bound to an apoenzyme, forming a holoenzyme, CoA facilitates the chemical transformation from a substrate to a product within a biological reaction.
Coenzymes, as opposed to cofactors which are inorganic ions like iron (Fe++) and magnesium (Mg++), are organic molecules required for enzyme action. Zinc (Zn++) is also a cofactor, essential for the function of several enzymes, including DNA polymerase. The primary sources of coenzymes in the diet are vitamins, which may act as precursors to coenzymes or in some cases function directly as coenzymes themselves. For example, Vitamin C directly serves as a coenzyme for enzymes involved in synthesizing collagen, a vital component of connective tissue.