Question

in a laboratory investigation, a student is studying the role of pepsin in animal digestion. pepsin helps break down proteins into simple molecules. the student adds pepsin to a test - tube containing egg whites. the test - tube mixture changes from opaque to clear after eight minutes. which statement most likely describes the functions of the pepsin and egg whites during the investigation? a pepsin is a product that reacts with the egg white enzyme, and the egg whites break down into nucleic acid products. b pepsin is a reactant in the chemical reaction with the egg white substrate, and the egg whites break down into fatty acid products. c pepsin is a substrate that takes part in the chemical reaction with the egg white enzyme, and the egg whites break down into sugar products. d pepsin is an enzyme that acts on the egg white substrate, and the egg whites break down into amino acid products.

Explanation:

Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins. Egg - whites are mainly proteins. Enzymes act on substrates and break them down into smaller products. Proteins are broken down into amino acids by proteolytic enzymes like pepsin.

Answer:

D. Pepsin is an enzyme that acts on the egg white substrate, and the egg whites break down into amino - acid products.