Turnover number of an enzyme represents

Options

A. Number of enzyme molecules involved
B. Number of substrate molecules converted
C. Number of products formed
D. 1 & 2

Answer

To determine what the turnover number of an enzyme represents, we can break down the concept step by step:

### Step 1: Understand the Role of Enzymes
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. They help substrates (the reactants) convert into products more efficiently.

**Hint:** Remember that enzymes lower the activation energy required for reactions, making them faster.

### Step 2: Define Turnover Number
The turnover number (often denoted as k_cat) is a measure of how many substrate molecules one enzyme molecule can convert into product per unit of time, under optimal conditions.

**Hint:** Think of turnover number as a measure of an enzyme's efficiency.

### Step 3: Relate Turnover Number to Product Formation
The turnover number is directly related to the number of products formed by the enzyme. It quantifies the enzyme's activity in terms of product formation over a specific time frame.

**Hint:** Consider how this relates to the enzyme's performance in a biochemical reaction.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Thus, the turnover number of an enzyme represents the number of product molecules formed by one enzyme molecule in a given time period.

**Final Answer:** The turnover number of an enzyme represents the number of product molecules formed by one enzyme molecule per unit time.

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