Question

question 4 / 10
organisms produce hydrogen peroxide (h₂o₂), a by - product of metabolism that is toxic to cells. the catalase protein catalyzes the reaction shown below:
2 h₂o₂ → 2 h₂o + o₂
which statement describes the reaction?
a. water is the substrate.
b. hydrogen peroxide is the enzyme.
c. catalase is consumed by the reaction.
d. oxygen gas is a product of the reaction.

Explanation:

• Option A: In the reaction \(2H_2O_2

ightarrow2H_2O + O_2\), the substrate is the reactant on which the enzyme acts. Here, the substrate is \(H_2O_2\) (hydrogen peroxide), not water (\(H_2O\)). Water is a product.

• Option B: Catalase is the enzyme. An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up a chemical reaction. Hydrogen peroxide (\(H_2O_2\)) is the substrate (reactant).
• Option C: Enzymes (like catalase) are not consumed in a chemical reaction. They lower the activation energy and are regenerated at the end of the reaction.
• Option D: Looking at the chemical equation \(2H_2O_2

ightarrow2H_2O + O_2\), \(O_2\) (oxygen gas) is on the product side of the reaction.

Answer:

D. Oxygen gas is a product of the reaction.