Multiple Choice
At higher temperatures, an enzyme may denature. Which statement best describes what happens during denaturation?
13
views
4. Protein Structure
Denaturation
Multiple Choice
Which condition is most likely to cause an enzyme to denature by disrupting its three-dimensional structure?
A
Providing excess substrate to saturate the active site
B
Increasing enzyme concentration while keeping substrate concentration constant
C
Adding a competitive inhibitor that binds reversibly to the active site
D
Exposure to high temperature or extreme pH
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that enzyme denaturation involves the disruption of the enzyme's three-dimensional structure, which is essential for its function.
Recognize that factors like excess substrate or competitive inhibitors affect enzyme activity by interacting with the active site but do not typically cause denaturation.
Recall that increasing enzyme concentration changes the amount of enzyme available but does not alter the enzyme's structure.
Identify that physical conditions such as high temperature or extreme pH can break non-covalent interactions (like hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds) that maintain the enzyme's tertiary and quaternary structure.
Conclude that exposure to high temperature or extreme pH is most likely to cause enzyme denaturation by disrupting its three-dimensional structure.
Related Videos
Related Practice
