General base catalysis involves a base that accelerates a chemical reaction by abstracting a proton from the substrate, thereby increasing the nucleophilicity of the substrate. This mechanism is crucial in many enzymatic reactions where the base is often an amino acid residue in the enzyme's active site.

General Base Catalysis

General base catalysis

A chemical reaction is a process where substances, known as reactants, are transformed into different substances, called products, through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. This transformation involves changes in energy and is governed by the principles of conservation of mass and energy.

chemical reaction

abstracting a proton

nucleophilicity of the substrate

Enzymatic reactions are biochemical processes that involve enzymes acting as catalysts to accelerate chemical reactions within living organisms. These reactions are crucial for sustaining life, as they regulate metabolism, energy production, and the synthesis of essential biomolecules.

enzymatic reactions

An amino acid residue is the part of an amino acid that remains after it has been incorporated into a polypeptide chain, losing a water molecule in the process. It plays a crucial role in determining the structure and function of proteins through its side chain interactions and chemical properties.

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