Final answer:
The nonprotein component of an enzyme that is loosely attached to the protein component is referred to as a cofactor or a coenzyme. Cofactors can be inorganic ions or organic compounds, while coenzymes are organic molecules that participate in enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nonprotein component of an enzyme that is loosely attached to the protein component is referred to as a cofactor or a coenzyme.
Cofactors can be inorganic ions, such as zinc (Zn²+) or magnesium (Mg²+), or they can be organic compounds. Coenzymes, on the other hand, are organic molecules that participate in enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
For example, DNA polymerase, an enzyme involved in DNA synthesis, requires a bound zinc ion (Zn²+) as a cofactor to function properly. such as NAD+ and FAD, also play important roles in various enzymatic reactions.