Answer to Question #34036 in Biochemistry for Sumit

Question

Write down some differences between Geometric Specificity and Stereo specificity of enzyme with example.

Answer 1

Enzymes can distinguish between stereoisomers, such as enantiomers. This is called stereoselectivity. Geometric specificity is a more stringent requirement than stereoselectivity (i.e. alcohol dehydrogenase, oxidation of ethanol (CH3CH2OH) to acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) faster than methanol to formaldehyde or isopropanol to aceton even though they only differ by deletion or addition of one CH2 group)