Question

Distinguish between prosthetic group and cofactors.

Answer 1

Cofactor is a nonprotein chemical, which is required for enzyme activity, where the cofactors can be considered as helper molecules which help in certain biochemical transformations, during enzyme action, these cofactors increase the rate of a chemical reaction.

Complete answer:
• In biological organisms to carry out the various metabolic processes, there are chemical structures called enzymes that are found in the body, which acts as a catalyst.
• Apart from the enzymes, there are various other compounds found in the body with similar functions as cofactors and coenzymes.
• As above cofactors are non-protein chemical structures, while they are divided into 2 types, such as inorganic and organic.
• Whereas organic cofactors are called coenzymes, and these coenzymes are also again divided into 2 types, such as Prosthetic groups and cosubstrates.
• Coenzyme which forms a permanent or covalent bond to proteins are called a prosthetic group, while coenzyme with transient bond with protein is called a cosubstrate group.
• But the function is the same for the Prosthetic group and the Consubstrate that is Facilitation of enzyme reaction and protein.

Cofactor	Prosthetic group
It is the non protein chemical that binds the enzyme.	This is the protein chemical molecule, which carries chemicals to the enzymes
These are inorganic compounds	These are organic compounds
These are helper molecules	This is one type of coenzyme
Here it forms a covalent bond with a non protein part.	It forms the covalent or permanent bond with the protein part.
These compounds increase the speed of reaction.	These compounds act as carriers.
Examples include metal ions such potassium and zinc	Examples include organic compounds such as vitamins and essential nutrients.

• The inactive enzyme without cofactor is called as Apoenzyme, while the active enzyme with cofactor is called holoenzyme.

Note:
Cofactors are of 2 types, one with inorganic and other organic, where the organic ones are called as coenzymes and they are of 2 types, based on bond, if bond is permanent it is prosthetic group, if the bond is temporary it is cosubstrate.