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Multiple Choice
How does carbonic anhydrase affect the reaction between carbon dioxide and water?
A
It converts carbon dioxide directly into bicarbonate ions.
B
It increases the rate of conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid.
C
It changes the equilibrium position of the reaction.
D
It decreases the rate of conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid. This reaction can be represented as: .
Carbonic anhydrase increases the rate of this reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid. This means the reaction occurs more quickly in the presence of the enzyme.
The enzyme does not change the equilibrium position of the reaction. It only affects the rate at which equilibrium is reached, allowing the system to respond more rapidly to changes in concentration of reactants or products.
Carbonic anhydrase does not convert carbon dioxide directly into bicarbonate ions. Instead, it facilitates the formation of carbonic acid, which can then dissociate into bicarbonate ions and protons in a separate equilibrium reaction: .
In summary, carbonic anhydrase increases the rate of conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, facilitating rapid response to physiological needs, such as maintaining acid-base balance in blood and tissues.