HELP!! The reaction catalyzed by the bacterial enzyme B-galactosidase forms a dark-colored product when the
cells are grown in a particular agar medium. As more product is formed, the cells become darker.
Students performed an experiment to determine the optimum pH for activity of this enzyme. Their results
are shown in the illustration of bacterial colonies below.
Bacterial Colony Color as a Function of pH
pH 3
pH 5
pH 7
pH9
pH 11
Why does B-galactosidase begin to lose function at a pH of 3 and 11?
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the pH turns the proteins into carbohydrates
the pH mulates the DNA
the pH changes the structure of the protein
the pH stops protein synthesis