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Multiple Choice
The substance on which the enzyme acts is called the _____.
A
cofactor
B
inhibitor
C
product
D
substrate
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.
Step 2: Learn the terminology associated with enzyme activity. The substance on which an enzyme acts is referred to as the 'substrate.' The enzyme binds to the substrate at its active site to form an enzyme-substrate complex.
Step 3: Differentiate between the given options: 'cofactor,' 'inhibitor,' 'product,' and 'substrate.' A cofactor is a non-protein molecule or ion that assists enzyme activity. An inhibitor is a molecule that decreases enzyme activity. A product is the result of the enzymatic reaction. The substrate is the molecule that the enzyme acts upon.
Step 4: Recall that the substrate is the starting material in an enzymatic reaction, which undergoes transformation into the product. This is a key concept in enzyme kinetics and biochemistry.
Step 5: Confirm that the correct answer to the question is 'substrate,' as it is the substance on which the enzyme acts during the reaction.