Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
An enzyme is considered a ______ because it speeds up chemical reactions without being used up.
A
catalyst
B
inhibitor
C
substrate
D
cofactor
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of an enzyme in biochemical reactions. Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, meaning they speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.
Step 2: Review the definitions of the given options: 'catalyst,' 'inhibitor,' 'substrate,' and 'cofactor.' A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing permanent change. An inhibitor slows down or stops a reaction. A substrate is the molecule upon which an enzyme acts. A cofactor is a non-protein molecule or ion required for enzyme activity.
Step 3: Compare the definition of 'catalyst' with the description of an enzyme in the problem. Enzymes fit the definition of a catalyst because they accelerate reactions without being used up.
Step 4: Eliminate the other options based on their definitions. An inhibitor does not speed up reactions; it slows them down. A substrate is the reactant in the reaction, not the enzyme itself. A cofactor assists enzymes but is not the enzyme itself.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'catalyst,' as it aligns with the description of an enzyme provided in the problem.