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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements is true with respect to enzyme activity?
A
Enzyme activity is independent of substrate concentration.
B
All enzymes require a metal ion as a cofactor to function.
C
Enzyme activity can be affected by changes in temperature and pH.
D
Enzymes are consumed during the reactions they catalyze.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reactions without being consumed in the process. This means they are not used up during the reaction, which makes the statement 'Enzymes are consumed during the reactions they catalyze' incorrect.
Step 2: Evaluate the statement 'Enzyme activity is independent of substrate concentration.' Enzyme activity is actually dependent on substrate concentration, as described by the Michaelis-Menten kinetics. At low substrate concentrations, enzyme activity increases with substrate concentration until it reaches saturation. Therefore, this statement is also incorrect.
Step 3: Analyze the statement 'All enzymes require a metal ion as a cofactor to function.' While some enzymes do require metal ions (e.g., zinc, magnesium) as cofactors, not all enzymes need them. Many enzymes function without metal ions, using other types of cofactors or none at all. Thus, this statement is incorrect.
Step 4: Consider the statement 'Enzyme activity can be affected by changes in temperature and pH.' Enzymes are highly sensitive to environmental conditions. Changes in temperature and pH can alter the enzyme's structure (denaturation) or affect the active site, impacting its activity. This statement is correct.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is the statement 'Enzyme activity can be affected by changes in temperature and pH,' as it accurately reflects the nature of enzyme function and sensitivity to environmental factors.