Final answer:
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is the enzyme that converts superoxide into hydrogen peroxide, which is then further broken down to water and oxygen by catalase.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enzyme that converts superoxide into hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is known as superoxide dismutase (SOD). This enzyme plays a crucial role in protecting the cell from oxidative damage by converting the reactive oxygen species called superoxide (O₂¯) into a less harmful substance, hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide itself is also reactive and is further broken down by another enzyme called catalase, which converts H₂O₂ into water (H₂O) and oxygen (O₂).
Superoxide dismutases are metalloenzymes that require micronutrients such as copper and zinc to function effectively. These micronutrients are crucial components of the enzyme, as seen in models such as the bovine superoxide dismutase.
Superoxide dismutases are essential in various organisms, including plants, where their expression can increase during a defense response against pathogens, aiding in the generation of hydrogen peroxide and providing increased tolerance to these threats.
By converting superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase limits the damage these radicals could cause to cellular components.
Such protective mechanisms are vital for maintaining cellular integrity and preventing damage that can lead to mutations, aging, and various diseases.