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Multiple Choice
Which best describes the action of carbonic anhydrase?
A
It catalyzes the reversible conversion of carbon dioxide and water to bicarbonate and protons.
B
It oxidizes NADH to NAD\(^+\) in the electron transport chain.
C
It hydrolyzes peptide bonds in proteins.
D
It phosphorylates glucose to form glucose-6-phosphate.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible reaction between carbon dioxide (CO extsubscript{2}) and water (H extsubscript{2}O) to form bicarbonate (HCO extsubscript{3} extsuperscript{-}) and protons (H extsuperscript{+}). This reaction is crucial for maintaining acid-base balance in the body.
Step 2: Analyze the given options. The first option describes the reversible conversion of carbon dioxide and water to bicarbonate and protons, which matches the known function of carbonic anhydrase. The other options describe unrelated enzymatic activities.
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options. Carbonic anhydrase does not oxidize NADH to NAD extsuperscript{+} (a function of enzymes in the electron transport chain), hydrolyze peptide bonds (a function of proteases), or phosphorylate glucose to form glucose-6-phosphate (a function of hexokinase).
Step 4: Confirm the correct answer. The correct description of carbonic anhydrase's action is its role in catalyzing the reversible conversion of carbon dioxide and water to bicarbonate and protons.
Step 5: Relate this to physiological importance. Carbonic anhydrase plays a key role in processes such as respiration, pH regulation, and transport of CO extsubscript{2} in the blood, highlighting its significance in biochemistry.