Which of the following best describes the term "enzyme specificity"?

• A. The tendency of an enzyme to increase the rate of all chemical reactions in a cell.
• B. The ability of an enzyme to function at a wide range of temperatures and pH values.
• C. The property of an enzyme to be inhibited by its product.
• D. The ability of an enzyme to catalyze only a particular reaction or act on a specific substrate due to the precise interaction between the enzyme's active site and the substrate.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the term 'enzyme specificity.' Enzyme specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to catalyze only a specific reaction or act on a particular substrate. This is due to the precise interaction between the enzyme's active site and the substrate.
2. Step 2: Recall that the active site of an enzyme is a unique region where the substrate binds. The shape, charge, and chemical properties of the active site are complementary to the substrate, ensuring specificity.
3. Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options by analyzing their definitions. For example, the tendency of an enzyme to increase the rate of all chemical reactions in a cell is incorrect because enzymes are selective and do not catalyze all reactions indiscriminately.
4. Step 4: Similarly, the ability of an enzyme to function at a wide range of temperatures and pH values is not related to specificity but rather to enzyme stability and activity under different conditions.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct description of enzyme specificity is the ability of an enzyme to catalyze only a particular reaction or act on a specific substrate due to the precise interaction between the enzyme's active site and the substrate.