Question

Trypsinogen is split by the enzyme enterokinase to form an activated molecule of the protease trypsin. Which of the following would confirm that the activation of trypsin is an example of how a positive feedback mechanism can amplify a biological process?

a. The activated trypsin enzyme can use enterokinase as a substrate
b. The trypsin produced by the reaction is capable of splitting and activating additional trypsinogen molecules
c. If levels of trypsin were to get too high, the trypsin molecules would inhibit the enzyme enterokinase
d. Each mRNA molecule that codes for trypsinogen can be translated repeatedly to form many peptide molecules

Answer 1

The correct option showing how the activation of trypsin represents a positive feedback mechanism is that trypsin can activate additional trypsinogen molecules, amplifying the enzymatic process.

Step-by-step explanation:

To confirm that the activation of trypsin is an example of how a positive feedback mechanism can amplify a biological process, the key would be to identify an instance where the product of a reaction can enhance the ongoing activity of a pathway. The correct option that illustrates this is: b. The trypsin produced by the reaction is capable of splitting and activating additional trypsinogen molecules

This option clearly demonstrates a positive feedback loop, where activated trypsin can catalyze the conversion of more trypsinogen into trypsin, thus amplifying the amount of active enzyme and accelerating the proteolytic process. This cycle of activation can rapidly escalate the enzymatic activity, serving as a powerful mechanism for increasing the digestive capacity of the small intestine to break down proteins into absorbable amino acids.

Answer 2

B. The trypsin produced by the reaction is capable of splitting and activating additional trypsinogen molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

Positive feedback mechanisms trigger a chain of events to intensify change from an original condition. Trypsin is secreted in an inactive form called trypsinogen. As trypsinogen reaches the lumen of the small intestine, enterokinase serves as an activating brush-border enzyme. Enterokinase splits off trypsinogen molecule to form trypsin. The activated trypsin protein molecules further activate additional trypsinogen into trypsin. Therefore, it represents how a positive feedback mechanism intensifies the original stimulus.