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Multiple Choice
Enzymatic browning occurs when cut fruits and vegetables are exposed to which substance?
A
Carbon dioxide
B
Hydrogen peroxide
C
Nitrogen
D
Oxygen
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of enzymatic browning. Enzymatic browning is a chemical process that occurs in fruits and vegetables when they are exposed to air. It is primarily caused by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO), which catalyzes the oxidation of phenolic compounds into quinones, leading to the formation of brown pigments.
Step 2: Identify the key substance involved in enzymatic browning. The process requires the presence of oxygen, as it is the reactant in the oxidation reaction catalyzed by PPO. Without oxygen, the reaction cannot proceed.
Step 3: Analyze the options provided in the question. The options are carbon dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, nitrogen, and oxygen. Among these, oxygen is the only substance that directly participates in the enzymatic browning reaction.
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen are inert gases that do not participate in the enzymatic browning process. Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive compound but is not involved in this specific reaction.
Step 5: Conclude that oxygen is the correct answer. Oxygen is the essential substance required for enzymatic browning to occur, as it drives the oxidation of phenolic compounds in the presence of PPO.