A coenzyme is a non-protein organic molecule that binds to an enzyme and is essential for its activity. Coenzymes often act as carriers for chemical groups or electrons during enzymatic reactions.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Coenzymes are typically derived from vitamins and are crucial for the function of many enzymes in microbial metabolism.
They often participate in redox reactions by acting as electron carriers, such as NAD+ and FAD.
Coenzymes bind to the active site of an enzyme, altering its conformation to facilitate substrate binding and catalysis.
Unlike enzymes, coenzymes are not permanently altered by the reaction and can be reused multiple times.
The availability of coenzymes can limit the rate of metabolic reactions in microorganisms.