An allosteric site is a specific location on an enzyme, distinct from the active site, where molecules can bind and modulate the enzyme's activity. These sites play a crucial role in regulating metabolic pathways.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Allosteric sites allow for the regulation of an enzyme's activity through the binding of activators or inhibitors.
Binding at an allosteric site can cause a conformational change in the enzyme, affecting its function.
Allosteric regulation is essential for maintaining homeostasis within microbial cells.
Allosteric enzymes often exhibit sigmoidal kinetics rather than Michaelis-Menten kinetics.
Examples of allosteric effectors include ATP, ADP, and various metabolites relevant to microbial metabolism.