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Question

Question: What does the enzyme PEP carboxylase do?...

What does the enzyme PEP carboxylase do?

Explanation

Solution

Enzymes are biological catalysts that participate in reactions that are taking place in the body. There are a variety of different enzymes in the body that help to make the reactions in the body more efficient.

Complete answer:
Enzymes are extremely essential molecules that are used in the body as catalysts. Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase enzyme is an enzyme that is found in bacteria and plants. The carboxylase group of enzymes helps to move a carboxyl group from a particular compound. PEP carboxylase helps to convert phosphoenolpyruvate and bicarbonate into oxaloacetate which is used in several essential processes in plants.
This is used in three important cycles
C4C_4 Cycle: PEP carboxylase plays a prominent role in the C4{C}_{4} cycle. It incorporates carbon in the form of bicarbonate to form oxaloacetate. This is then used to produce pyruvate which can be used in this cycle.
CAM or crassulacean acid metabolism cycle: This is a type of reaction that takes place in plants that live in arid conditions. PEP carboxylase helps to form oxaloacetate in an efficient manner which can be used to form malate.
Krebs cycle: This cycle is another important metabolic cycle in plants. The oxaloacetate that is produced by PEP carboxylase is used for this cycle.

Note:
PEP carboxylase is an enzyme which means that it can remove or add a carboxyl group from any compound. PEP carboxylase converts phosphoenolpyruvate(PEP) and bicarbonate into oxaloacetate which is used in several essential processes in plants.