not mock

• what are cofactors?

  non-protein molecules that bind to enzymes to help their function
• some cofactors are inorganic molecules or ions that temporarily bind to the enzyme and stabilise the structure of the enzyme or help make the active site complementary. they don't directly participate in the reaction so aren't used up or changed e.g Cl- ions are cofactors for amylase
• some cofactors are organic molecules --> called coenzymes. They temporarily bind to the enzyme and participate in the reaction so are changed. they often act as carriers, moving chemical groups between different enzymes. They're continually recycled during this process. e.g. vitamins are sources of coenzymes