ACT Science Practice Question #1250 (Hard (33)) | Test Citadel
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ACT Science Difficulty: Hard (33)

Digital ACT Science Practice Question #1250

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An experimental assay measured the rate of DNA polymerase elongation at four different temperatures in the presence of $1.5\text{ mM }\text{Mg}^{2+}$: • $25^\circ\text{C}$: $210\text{ nucleotides/sec}$ • $37^\circ\text{C}$: $580\text{ nucleotides/sec}$ • $50^\circ\text{C}$: $920\text{ nucleotides/sec}$ • $72^\circ\text{C}$: $1,450\text{ nucleotides/sec}$ • $95^\circ\text{C}$: $0\text{ nucleotides/sec}$ What is the most likely explanation for the complete cessation of polymerase activity observed at $95^\circ\text{C}$?
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Standard biological concept: zero enzyme activity at very high heat = protein denaturation.

Masterclass Solution & Distractor Trap Analysis

Enzymes are proteins whose catalytic activity depends on a specific three-dimensional tertiary conformation. At extreme temperatures like $95^\circ\text{C}$, heat disrupts the non-covalent hydrogen and ionic bonds stabilizing this shape, ca...

Distractor Analysis: Trap choice eliminates careless test-takers who confuse roots with coordinates...

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