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Penicillin works by irreversibly inhibiting an enzyme (transpeptidase) that catalyzes a crosslinking reaction in the formation of the bacterial cell wall.

Penicillin inhibits the transpeptidase by forming an irreversible covalent bond with the active-site serine residue in the enzyme

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Penicillin works by inhibiting the enzyme transpeptidase, which is involved in the formation of the bacterial cell wall. By blocking this enzyme, penicillin prevents the cross-linking of peptidoglycan layers, weakening the cell wall's structure and leading to bacterial cell death.

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Q: How does penicillin work as an enzyme inhibitor?
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What is non-competitive enzyme inhibitor?

Competitive inhibition is where a inhibitor has a structural similarities of a substrate. Due this the inhibitor binds to the active site of the enzyme,where normally substrate binds. This binding of the inhibitor to the enzyme forms a EI complex instead of ES complex and thus inhibiting the catalytic activity of an enzyme. Non competitive inhibition is when inhibitor possessing same structure of substrate binds to the site other than the active site of an enzyme. The substrate binds to the active site of an enzyme. This binding of the inhibitor to the site other than an active site disturbs the normal structure of an enzyme. Thereby, lowering the catalytic activity of an enzyme.


How would one overcome the effects of a competitive inhibitor on enzyme activity in the biochemical regulation of metabolic pathways?

One way to overcome the effects of a competitive inhibitor on enzyme activity is to increase the substrate concentration. By increasing the substrate concentration, you can outcompete the inhibitor for binding to the enzyme's active site. Another strategy is to use allosteric regulators that can bind to a separate site on the enzyme and change its conformation, potentially reducing the inhibitor's binding affinity.


What would be the likely outcome if you increased the concentration of substrate for an enzyme in the presence of a noncompetitive inhibitor?

Increasing the concentration of substrate will not overcome the effect of a noncompetitive inhibitor. The inhibitor binds to the enzyme at a site other than the active site, causing a conformational change that reduces the enzyme's activity. Therefore, increasing the concentration of substrate will not result in a significant increase in enzyme activity.


What chemical agent that block enzymes?

This chemical is an enzyme inhibitor.


Why would the reaction of a normal rate of an enzyme slow down and its substrate slow down when a competitive inhibitor is present?

A competitive inhibitor competes with the substrate for binding to the active site of the enzyme. When a competitive inhibitor is present, it can slow down the reaction by blocking the active site, preventing the substrate from binding properly, reducing the rate of substrate conversion to product. This results in a decrease in the overall reaction rate of the enzyme.