A student claims amylase survives 75°C because its bonds are strong ionic ones. What is wrong with this?
AIonic bonds do not exist in any protein
BIts shape is held by weak hydrogen bonds
CEnzymes have no bonds holding their shape
D75°C is below the enzyme's optimum
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Its shape is held by weak hydrogen bonds
1. An enzyme's three-dimensional shape is what makes it work, and that shape is held together by bonds.
2. Those bonds are largely weak hydrogen bonds, not strong ionic ones.
3. Being weak, they break readily once the temperature rises above the optimum.
4. So 75°C is more than enough to distort the molecule and denature it.
5. Claiming strong ionic bonds was the recorded error, and it wrongly predicts that starch would still be hydrolysed.
_Source: NECTA ACSEE 2022 Biology 133/1, Question 1: Cytology_
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