Question

multiple choice question

negative feedback is a process that ____ enzyme activity when a certain concentration of ____ is produced.

decreases; product
increases; substrate
increases; product
decreases; substrate

Explanation:

Analyze the mechanism of negative feedback in metabolic pathways

Negative feedback (or feedback inhibition) in enzymatic pathways occurs when the final product of a pathway accumulates. This product binds to an enzyme (often the first committed enzyme in the pathway) to inhibit its activity, thereby slowing down or stopping the pathway.

Evaluate the given options

• "decreases; product": This correctly states that negative feedback decreases enzyme activity when a certain concentration of product is produced.
• "increases; substrate": Incorrect, as negative feedback does not increase activity, nor is it triggered by substrate accumulation.
• "increases; product": Incorrect, as negative feedback decreases activity.
• "decreases; substrate": Incorrect, as the signal for feedback inhibition is the accumulation of the end product, not the substrate.

Answer:

• decreases; product (Correct answer)
• increases; substrate
• increases; product
• decreases; substrate