Which of the following statements about enzymes is FALSE? A. They increase the rate of chemical reactions B. They function as chemical catalysts C. They regulate virtually all chemical reactions in a cell D. They are monomers used to build carbohydrates
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: D. They are monomers used to build carbohydrates
Enzymes are biological molecules that significantly speed up the rate of virtually all of the chemical reactions that take place within cells. They are essential for life and serve a wide variety of important functions in the body, such as aiding in digestion and metabolism.
Option A is correct because enzymes increase the rate of chemical reactions. They do this by lowering the activation energy required for reactions to occur, enabling reactions to happen more quickly and efficiently.
Option B is also correct because enzymes function as biological catalysts. A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change. Enzymes fit this definition precisely.
Option C is correct as well. Enzymes regulate virtually all chemical reactions in a cell. Different enzymes are specific to different reactions, ensuring that the complex biochemical processes within cells are well-organized and precisely controlled.
Option D, however, is false and is therefore the correct choice. Enzymes are not monomers used to build carbohydrates. Instead, enzymes are proteins composed of long chains of amino acids. Carbohydrates are made from monomer units called monosaccharides (like glucose). Enzymes are responsible for building or breaking down carbohydrates, but they are not the building blocks themselves.
In summary, enzymes are crucial biological proteins that act as catalysts to speed up and regulate chemical reactions in living organisms. They are not structural components of carbohydrates. Identifying the false statement in this context helps reinforce the distinct roles of biomolecules such as proteins and carbohydrates in cellular function.