Use the Following Information When Answering the Corresponding Questions)

Multiple Choice

Use the following information when answering the corresponding questions) .
Shuichi Nakano reported in Science in February 2000 that, "The RNA enzyme ribozyme) from hepatitis delta virus catalyzes self- cleavage of a . . . [chemical] . . . bond." This reaction is inherently slow due to the formation of an unfavorable negative charge on the ribozyme. The author goes on to show that this self- cleavage is made faster by joining it with an acid- base reaction that neutralizes the negative charge. Nakano's model describes a positively charged cytosine base on the ribozyme acting as the acid, and magnesium hydroxide acting as the base. Specifically, the cytosine donates its proton H+) to neutralize the unstable negative charge that would have formed on the ribozyme.
-In the acid- base reaction described in the preceding paragraph, a proton H+) is being transferred. What is acting as the proton acceptor?

A) cytosine
B) magnesium hydroxide
C) the virus
D) A, B, or C. Any one of these can act as the acceptor.