Effects of Protein Ratio and Concentration on Nitrogenase Catalyzed Substrate Reduction

Authors

Kyrsten Ann Crawford, Brigham Young University
Dr. Gerald D. Watt, Brigham Young University

Keywords

protein ratio, nitrogenase catalyzed substrate reduction, electron activation

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Abstract

Although the earth’s atmosphere is approximately 80% nitrogen (N₂) gas, this form of nitrogen is inert and must be reduced and “fixed” into a useable form of nitrogen through the process of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation is an important biological process in the earth’s nitrogen cycle because it provides nutrient nitrogen for plants and animals. The enzyme responsible for conducting nitrogen fixation is nitrogenase, which is found only in certain diazotrophic microorganisms. Nitrogenase is also capable of reducing protons (H⁺) and small substrates that have a terminal triple bond, such as acetylene (C₂H₂). One of the stated goals of this research is to investigate the substrate reducing behavior of nitrogenase to better understand the mechanism of nitrogenase catalysis. It is important to understand how nitrogenase functions so that it can be utilized to enhance agricultural productivity and also to safeguard the ecological systems.

Recommended Citation

Crawford, Kyrsten Ann and Watt, Dr. Gerald D. (2014) "Effects of Protein Ratio and Concentration on Nitrogenase Catalyzed Substrate Reduction," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 1152.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/1152