Question

Which of the following statements regarding coenzymes and prosthetic groups of enzymes is not true?

• A. Both are required for enzyme action.
• B. Both can be separated from enzyme by dialysis.
• C. Both are organic compounds.
• D. Both are not polypeptides

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The functional unit of the enzyme is known as holoenzyme which is often made up of apoenzyme (the protein part) and a coenzyme (non-protein organic part) which is easily separable.
$\underset{\text{Active enzyme) }}{\mathrm{Holoenzyme}}\to \underset{\text{(Protein part) }}{\mathrm{Apoenzyme}}+\underset{\text{(Non-Protein part)}}{\mathrm{Coenzyme}}$
The term prosthetic group is used when the non-protein moiety tightly binds (covalently) with the apoenzyme. The coenzyme can be separated by dialysis from the enzyme while the prosthetic group cannot be.