Suppose that enzyme X catalyzes a reaction that involves the breakdown of a molecule. The product of this reaction is an amino acid. What molecule is the enzyme breaking down?

An enzyme is a biocatalyst that plays an important role in increasing the speed of the chemical reactions that occurs in the body.
If the enzyme is catalyzing a reaction where the product is broken down into amino acids, then this reaction is a type of decomposition reaction.
In a decomposition reaction, a substrate is broken down into the products that constituted it.
Since amino acids join to form a protein thus, the molecule that is being broken down in the reaction must be a protein.

snehapa snehapa · Answer 2 · 2019-09-13T12:55:29+02:00

The enzyme “X” is breaking down a protein molecule to release an amino acid.

Further Explanation:

The enzyme is breaking down a compound so, the reaction that is taking place here is a chemical breakdown reaction. A decomposition reaction is a reaction in which a substrate breaks into the constituents. An enzyme is a protein that stimulates the reaction process. It is a biocatalyst that helps in carrying out of biological the body's reactions.

The reaction mentioned in the question depicts that an enzyme “X” a reaction that has the disintegration of a molecule and the product of this reaction is an amino acid. Since, the amino acids are the smallest unit that makeup a protein, the molecule that is acted upon by the enzyme is a protein. The amino acids are adhered to one another by peptide bond. The amino group of one molecule reacts with the carboxyl group of the other molecule, with the release of a water molecule.

Thus, the enzyme “X” acts upon a protein molecule breaking it down into its constituent amino acids.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Biomolecules

Keywords:

Enzyme, protein, amino acid, compound, decomposition reaction, substrate, constituents, biocatalyst, carboxyl group, peptide bond, biomolecules.