MCAT Biochemistry Question 11: Answer and Explanation
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Question: 11
11. Adding concentrated strong base to a solution containing an enzyme often reduces enzyme activity to zero. In addition to causing protein denaturation, which of the following is another plausible reason for the loss of enzyme activity?
- A. Enzyme activity, once lost, cannot be recovered.
- B. The base can cleave peptide residues.
- C. Adding a base catalyzes protein polymerization.
- D. Adding a base tends to deprotonate amino acids on the surface of proteins.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Bases can catalyze peptide bond hydrolysis. Choice (A) is incorrect: enzyme activity can be recovered in at least some cases. Choice (D) is a true statement, but fails to explain the loss of enzyme activity.