Commercial utilization of microbial products has become increasingly popular due to their environmentally friendly nature. Removal of these products from the environment typically utilizes
A soap.
B organic solvents.
C enzymes.
D organic acids.
E alcohol.
The correct answer and explanation is:
It appears your question is incomplete — you’re listing multiple answer choices (B. Organic solvents, C. Enzymes, D. Organic acids, E. Alcohol), but the actual question prompt is missing. To give you the correct answer and a 300-word explanation, I need to know what question you’re asking.
However, I can give you a general breakdown of these terms in case that helps:
General Definitions:
- Organic Solvents (B): These are carbon-based liquids like acetone or benzene used to dissolve other organic substances. They’re often volatile and flammable.
- Enzymes (C): Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed. They’re made of proteins.
- Organic Acids (D): Weak acids containing carbon, such as acetic acid or citric acid. Found in biological systems and food.
- Alcohol (E): Organic compounds with hydroxyl groups (–OH), like ethanol. Used in beverages, disinfectants, and solvents.
If you were asking something like:
“Which of the following is a biological catalyst?”
Then the correct answer would be:
✅ C. Enzymes
Explanation (300 words):
Enzymes are specialized biological molecules that act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process. They are primarily composed of proteins, although some RNA molecules known as ribozymes also exhibit catalytic activity. Enzymes work by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction, making it easier for reactants to be converted into products.
Each enzyme is specific to a particular substrate (the molecule it acts upon), and this specificity is due to the enzyme’s unique three-dimensional shape, especially at the active site where the reaction takes place. For instance, the enzyme amylase helps break down starches into sugars, while lipase works on fats.
Enzymes are essential in various physiological processes including digestion, energy production, DNA replication, and cell signaling. Without enzymes, the chemical reactions necessary for life would proceed too slowly to sustain life.
In contrast:
- Organic solvents are used to dissolve substances but do not act as catalysts.
- Organic acids are weak acids and are involved in some reactions but not as catalysts.
- Alcohol can serve as a disinfectant or fuel, but not as a biological catalyst.
Therefore, enzymes are the correct answer when the question concerns biological catalysts.