Multiple choice

At high temperature, an enzyme is

  1. inactivated

  2. unaffected

  3. slightly activated

  4. denatured
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Enzymes are proteins with specific three-dimensional structures essential for their function. At high temperatures (usually above 40-45°C for human enzymes), the increased thermal energy disrupts the weak bonds (hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces) maintaining this structure, causing the enzyme to denature. Denaturation is irreversible - the enzyme loses its active site shape and can no longer catalyze reactions.

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