Lactase is an enzyme composed of a single polypeptide that hydrolyzes the disaccharide lactose to produce monosaccharides. The optimal pH for lactase activity is 6. Transfer of lactase to pH 5 results in a substantial decrease in enzyme activity, likely due to the disruption of

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The optimal pH for lactase activity is 6, which indicates that the enzyme's active site requires a specific pH for optimal function. The transfer of lactase to pH 5 results in a substantial decrease in enzyme activity. This is likely due to the disruption of the enzyme's secondary and tertiary structure, which are critical for the enzyme's function. The disruption of the quaternary structure may also play a role in the decrease in enzyme activity, but it is less likely to be the sole reason for the observed decrease. Therefore, the best choice is C, as it represents the disruption of the secondary and tertiary structure of the enzyme, which are crucial for its activity.

Lactase Is an Enzyme Composed of a Single Polypeptide That