Some bacteria are metabolically active in hot springs because
a. They are able to maintain a lower internal temperature.
b. High temperatures make catalysis unnecessary.
c. Their enzymes have high optimal temperatures.
d. Their enzymes are completely insensitive to temperature.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions and are sensitive to temperature changes.

Recognize that each enzyme has an optimal temperature range where it functions most efficiently. This is crucial for bacteria living in extreme environments like hot springs.

Consider that bacteria in hot springs must have enzymes adapted to high temperatures, allowing them to remain metabolically active despite the heat.

Evaluate the options given: a) maintaining a lower internal temperature is unlikely due to the surrounding environment, b) catalysis is necessary for metabolic processes, c) enzymes with high optimal temperatures would be beneficial, d) complete insensitivity to temperature is improbable.

Conclude that the most plausible explanation is that these bacteria have enzymes with high optimal temperatures, allowing them to thrive in hot springs.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Enzyme Optimal Temperature

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions, and each enzyme has an optimal temperature at which it functions most efficiently. In thermophilic bacteria, enzymes are adapted to high temperatures, allowing them to remain active and stable in hot environments like hot springs. This adaptation is crucial for the survival and metabolic activity of these bacteria.

Thermophilic Bacteria

Thermophilic bacteria are microorganisms that thrive at relatively high temperatures, typically between 45°C and 80°C. These bacteria have evolved to survive and grow in extreme heat, such as that found in hot springs, by developing specialized proteins and enzymes that remain stable and functional at elevated temperatures.

Enzyme Sensitivity to Temperature

Enzymes are sensitive to temperature changes, which can affect their structure and function. While most enzymes denature at high temperatures, thermophilic bacteria possess enzymes that are less sensitive to heat, allowing them to maintain their catalytic activity in hot environments. This insensitivity is a key adaptation for life in extreme thermal conditions.