Question

1. A student conducted research about the roles of molecules in metabolic processes

such as digestion. She found one experiment that revealed the following about a
certain molecule:
• The molecule can break down proteins into amino acids.
• The molecule itself can be broken down into amino acids.
• The molecule is found in high concentrations in the small intestines of humans.
The molecule is most likely-

Answer 1

Enzyme- Peptidase/protease

Step-by-step explanation:

According to this question, a student is conducting an experiment to determine the roles of molecules in metabolic processes such as digestion. Based on what she found out that the molecule, which itself can be broken down into amino acids, can also break down proteins into amino acids, this suggests that the molecule being described is a PROTEOLYTIC ENZYME.

This is because an enzyme is made up of proteins which can be denatured or broken down into its simplest unit (amino acids) and also, a substance that breaks down amino acid is said to be PROTEOLYTIC.

However, another observation that the molecule is found in high concentrations in the small intestine was made, hence, the enzyme is a PEPTIDASE OR PROTEASE, which are secreted into the small intestine by the pancreas to aid digestion of proteins.