MCAT General Chemistry Question 220: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 220

5. Which of the following best describes the role of pepsin in the process of proteolysis?

  • A. It stabilizes the structure of the amino acid end products.
  • B. It lowers the energy requirement needed for the reaction to proceed.
  • C. It increases the Keq of proteolysis.
  • D. It lowers the free energy of the peptide reactant.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B Pepsin is an enzyme, a biological catalyst. Catalysts lower the activation energy by providing the correct orientation of reactants for a reaction to proceed. Enzymes make a reaction go faster and affect the kinetics of the reaction, making choice B the best answer. Stability of the products, Keq, and free energy of the reactants are all thermodynamic properties, so choices A, C, and D are eliminated.

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