Question

Which of the following represents a rapid and reversible mechanism to alter the activity of an enzyme?

a) synthesis of more enzyme to increase activity
b) degradation of enzyme to decrease activity
c) covalent attachment of a sulphate group to increase or decrease activity
d) movement of an enzyme from one cellular compartment to another
e) None of the rest

Answer 1

The covalent attachment of a sulphate group is a rapid and reversible mechanism to alter the activity of an enzyme.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rapid and reversible mechanism to alter the activity of an enzyme is the covalent attachment of a sulphate group. This modification can increase or decrease the activity of the enzyme, depending on the prevailing conditions. The attachment of the sulphate group alters the steric structure of the enzyme, usually affecting the configuration of the active site. This alteration either increases or decreases the enzyme's affinity for its substrate, thus affecting the rate of the reaction.