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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a method commonly used to measure the activity of an enzyme?
A
Spectrophotometric assay
B
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
C
Gel electrophoresis
D
Western blotting
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of enzyme activity measurement. Enzyme activity refers to the rate at which an enzyme catalyzes a reaction. Measuring enzyme activity often involves monitoring changes in substrate or product concentration over time.
Step 2: Learn about spectrophotometric assays. Spectrophotometric assays are commonly used to measure enzyme activity because they allow for the detection of changes in absorbance or fluorescence of a substrate or product during the reaction. This method is quantitative and efficient.
Step 3: Differentiate spectrophotometric assays from other techniques listed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used for amplifying DNA, gel electrophoresis is used for separating macromolecules like DNA or proteins, and Western blotting is used for detecting specific proteins. None of these methods directly measure enzyme activity.
Step 4: Recognize why spectrophotometric assays are preferred. They are widely used because they provide real-time data on reaction kinetics, are relatively simple to perform, and can be adapted for various enzymes and substrates.
Step 5: Conclude that spectrophotometric assays are the correct method for measuring enzyme activity in this context, as they are specifically designed for this purpose.