At higher temperatures, an enzyme may denature. Which statement best describes what happens during denaturation?

• A. Denaturation increases enzyme specificity by making the active site more rigid and better shaped for the substrate.
• B. The enzyme loses its native secondary and tertiary structure (and possibly quaternary structure), disrupting the active site and reducing catalytic activity.
• C. The enzyme’s peptide bonds are hydrolyzed, converting the protein completely into free amino acids.
• D. The enzyme’s primary amino acid sequence is rearranged into a new sequence by forming different peptide bonds.

Answer: (B)