Question

The phenomenon which involves formation of an additional covalent intermediate in a reaction that helps to reduce the energy of later transition states is referred to as ___________

(a) covalent catalysis

(b) substrate collision theory

(c) general acid-base catalysis

(d) specific acid-base catalysis

I have been asked this question in exam.

This intriguing question originated from Enzyme Kinetics topic in chapter Enzyme Kinetics of Enzyme Technology

Answer 1

Right choice is (d) specific acid-base catalysis

To explain: Covalent catalysis involves substrates forming transient covalent bond with the residues present in the active site. The phenomenon which involves formation of an additional covalent intermediate in a reaction that helps to reduce the energy of later transition states is referred to as covalent catalysis. The covalent bond must be broken to regenerate the free enzyme at the later stage of the reaction.