Given below are two statements: Statement I: Low temperature preserves the enzyme in a temporarily inactive state whereas high temperature destroys enzymatic activity because proteins are denatured by heat. Statement II: When the inhibitor closely resembles the substrate in its molecular structure and inhibits the activity of the enzyme, it is known as competitive inhibitor. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Solution & Explanation

Answer: (A) Both Statements I and II are true. Solution: Both statements are taken directly from NCERT. Statement I is true — low temperature keeps the enzyme temporarily inactive while high temperature destroys activity because proteins are denatured by heat. Statement II is also true — an inhibitor that closely resembles the substrate in molecular structure and inhibits the enzyme is called a competitive inhibitor. Hence both statements are correct. NCERT Reference: Ch 9, p.116, line ~17 — "Low temperature preserves the enzyme in a temporarily inactive state whereas high temperature destroys enzymatic activity because proteins are denatured by heat."