Prometheus Profile & Fact File Name: Prometheus Role & Function: The function of Prometheus is described as being the god of forethought and the creator of mankind Status: A god in the second dynasty of Titans Gender: Male Name of Father: Iapetus Name of Mother: Clymene
All known enzymes are proteins. They are high molecular weight compounds made up principally of chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. See Figure 1. Enzymes can be denatured and precipitated with salts, solvents and other reagents. They have molecular weights ranging from 10,000 to 2,000,000. Many enzymes require the presence of other compounds - cofactors - before their catalytic activity can be exerted.
Some enzymes, called simple enzymes, are completely protein. Others, called conjugated enzymes, are composed of a protein portion called the apoenzyme and one or more nonprotein portions. There are two main categories of such substances: Cofactors are inorganic metal ions such as iron, magnesium or zinc. Coenzymes are organic compounds composed of vitamins or vitamin derivatives. Examples include NAD+, NADP+ and FAD+, all of which serve in the transfer of electrons and hydrogens released by catabolic pathways.