Final answer:
Creatine Kinase (CK) is the enzyme that is elevated in the serum during muscle damage, and it's particularly used as a marker enzyme for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enzyme elevated in the serum during muscle damage is Creatine Kinase (CK). Creatine Kinase, also known as Creatine phosphokinase (CPK), is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of creatine to creatine phosphate. This enzyme is predominantly found in tissues like the cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, and the brain, reflecting their high energy demands.
When muscle damage occurs, CK is released into the blood, leading to elevated serum levels. It is considered a marker enzyme in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction or heart attack. An increase in CK levels in blood plasma is one of the earliest indicators following a heart attack. In addition, various isoenzymes of CK can also help in determining the specific location of muscle damage.