Question

In humans, hydrogen peroxide is a dangerous toxin produced as a by-product of several metabolic pathways. The accumulation of H2O2 is prevented by its conversion to harmless H2O, a reaction catalyzed by catalase. Air pollutants can inhibit this enzyme and leave individuals susceptible to tissue damage by H2O2. How would you investigate whether catalase has an allosteric or nonallosteric mechanism, and whether the pollutants are acting as competitive or noncompetitive inhibitors?

Answer 1

You look at the binding site of where the H2O2 binds on the catalase. If it binds at the active site, then its a competitive inhibitor. Allosteric means it binds other than the active site (noncompetitive), which reduce the the affinity for the substrate.