Zinc, an essential trace element for most organisms, is present in the active site of the enzyme carboxypeptidase. the zinc most likely functions as
a) a noncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme
b) an allosteric activator of the enzyme
c) a cofactor necessary for enzyme activity d) a coenzyme derived from a vitamin

The correct answer is: C) a cofactor necessary for enzyme activity

It has been shown that the loss of the zinc in the active side of carboxypeptidase leads to loss of enzyme activity. The enzyme can be reactivated by adding zinc, but also by adding some other divalent metals such as cobalt, or nickel.

Carboxypeptidase is an example of metaloenzyme that hydrolyzes a peptide bonds in the protein.

There are several types of carboxypeptidases in humans with diverse functions: from catabolic to protein maturation.

answer: b: experiments that showed that all cells are similar in how they metabolize and in their composition

explanation: