Question

ii. enzymes as catalysts

1. fireflies are examples of organisms that use bioluminescence to emit light. this process relies on enzymes. the tail of fireflies contains thousands of luciferase enzymes, which help bind oxygen to a molecule called luciferin. this produces oxyluciferin. the chemical reaction requires energy and releases light. during this reaction, what are the substrates? what is the product?

1. in the firefly example given, how does luciferase speed up the chemical reaction?

Explanation:

Question 4

To determine the substrates and product, we analyze the reaction. The text says luciferase enzymes help bind oxygen to luciferin, and the reaction produces oxyluciferin and releases light. So substrates are the reactants (luciferin and oxygen), product is oxyluciferin (plus light energy released).

Enzymes like luciferase speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy. They bind to substrates (luciferin and oxygen), form an enzyme - substrate complex, and facilitate the reaction to form products (oxyluciferin, light) more easily by reducing the energy needed to start the reaction.

Answer:

Substrates: Luciferin and Oxygen; Product: Oxyluciferin (and light energy is released)

Question 5