Question

Catalytic proteins are known as ___________ whereas catalytic RNA molecules are known as ____________.

1) ribozymes; enzymes
2) enzymes; ribozymes
3) enzymes; catalozymes
4) catalozymes; ribozymes

Answer 1

Catalytic proteins are called enzymes, and catalytic RNA molecules are called ribozymes; the correct match is enzymes; ribozymes (option 2). Enzymes are vital for metabolism, while ribozymes have a key role in RNA processing and support the RNA world hypothesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Catalytic proteins are known as enzymes, whereas catalytic RNA molecules are known as ribozymes. Therefore, the correct answer is option 2) enzymes; ribozymes. Enzymes are typically proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions and are crucial for various metabolic processes in living organisms. Ribozymes are RNA molecules that also have catalytic properties and are involved in important cellular activities such as RNA processing and protein synthesis.

For example, the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) within ribosomes is considered a ribozyme because of its enzymatic activity related to peptidyl transferase, which is essential for protein synthesis. This capacity for RNA to act as a catalyst predates the evolution of protein-based enzymes and provides supporting evidence for the RNA world hypothesis, in which early forms of life may have relied solely on RNA for both genetic information storage and catalytic activity.