Question

Trypsinogen is split by the enzyme enterokinase to form an activated molecule of the protease trypsin. Which of the following would confirm that the activation of trypsin is an example of how a positive feedback mechanism can amplify a biological process?
a. The activated trypsin enzyme can use enterokinase as a substrate
b. The trypsin produced by the reaction is capable of splitting and activating additional trypsinogen molecules
c. If levels of trypsin were to get too high, the trypsin molecules would inhibit the enzyme enterokinase
d. Each mRNA molecule that codes for trypsinogen can be translated repeatedly to form many peptide molecules

Answer 1

Answer:

B. The trypsin produced by the reaction is capable of splitting and activating additional trypsinogen molecules.

Explanation:

Positive feedback mechanisms trigger a chain of events to intensify change from an original condition. Trypsin is secreted in an inactive form called trypsinogen. As trypsinogen reaches the lumen of the small intestine, enterokinase serves as an activating brush-border enzyme. Enterokinase splits off trypsinogen molecule to form trypsin. The activated trypsin protein molecules further activate additional trypsinogen into trypsin. Therefore, it represents how a positive feedback mechanism intensifies the original stimulus.