Rennin is an enzyme that catalyzes a reaction that solidifies milk. Rennin was added to three different test tubes with milk. Each test tube was placed in a water bath for ten minutes. The data collected during the experiment are shown.

Question

Test Tube Variable Result
1 Cold water bath Few solids present in the liquid milk
2 Room-temperature water bath Semi-solid milk
3 Hot water bath No solids, only liquid milk

Which statement best explains the result of test tube 3?


The substrate reacted with the enzyme.

The substrate was used up.

The enzyme was denatured.

The enzyme changed the product.

Answer 1

The statement that best explains the result of test tube 3 is:

The enzyme was denatured.

In the hot water bath, the rennin enzyme likely lost its structure and function due to the high temperature, which can disrupt the hydrogen bonds and other interactions that maintain the enzyme's shape. This denaturation prevents the enzyme from catalyzing the reaction that solidifies the milk, resulting in no solids, only liquid milk.