Photomicrograph by Dr

Multiple Choice

Photomicrograph by Dr. Conly L. Rieder, East Greenbush, New York
-In the graph, why does the curve sharply drop after approximately 45°C instead of mirroring the slope of the line going from 0 to 40°C?

A) The kinetic energy of the reactants is so great that it destabilizes the enzyme and diminishes the enzyme's activity.
B) This is true of all catalysts and is not due to any special features of enzymes.
C) The kinetic energy of the reactants is lower than that of the products, thus forcing a change in enzyme activity.
D) The enzyme begins to denature above a certain temperature, thus eliminating all catalytic activity of the protein.