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How are the kinetics of a thrombin-catalyzed reaction affected by antithrombin in the presence of heparin?

a) Increased
b) Decreased
c) Unchanged
d) Reversed

User Robasaurus
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1 Answer

1 vote

Final answer:

The kinetics of a thrombin-catalyzed reaction are decreased in the presence of antithrombin, particularly when heparin is also involved, as it enhances antithrombin's inhibitory effect on thrombin.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering antithrombin in the presence of heparin and its effects on the kinetics of a thrombin-catalyzed reaction, it is important to understand the role that antithrombin plays in the regulation of thrombin, an enzyme majorly involved in the blood clotting process. Antithrombin is a natural inhibitor of several enzymes in the clotting system, including thrombin. When heparin is present, it binds to antithrombin and induces a conformational change that significantly enhances the inhibitory effect of antithrombin on thrombin. Consequently, the presence of antithrombin with heparin results in a decreased activity of thrombin, thus leading to the inhibition of the reaction it would normally catalyze. In summary, the kinetics of a thrombin-catalyzed reaction are decreased by the presence of antithrombin, especially when heparin is involved.

User Gursewak Singh
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