Some Cofactors in Biological Systems

Metal Ions Iron Magnesium Manganese Zinc Selenium Copper Coenzymes NADH, NAD+ NADP, NADPH FAD, FADH, FADH2 CoA Heme Ascorbic acid Biotin Example of Function Redox reactions in hemes Stabilizes reaction intermediate (hexokinase) Oxidizes water in photosynthesis Structural and catalytic roles in alcohol dehydrogenase Redox reaction in peroxide breakdown (in cytoplasm) Reduces oxygen in mitochondrial electron transfer chain Electron carrier in glycolysis Electron, hydrogen atom carrier in redox reactions of photosynthesis Electron carrier in photoreceptors, redox reactions of aerobic respiration Acetyl group (COCHS) carrier in glycolysis Electron carrier in hydrogen peroxide breakdown Electron carrier in peroxide breakdown (in lysosomes) 002 carrier in fatty acid synthesis