Question

Enzymes are basically:

• A. Carbohydrates
• B. Proteins
• C. Lipids
• D. Amino acids

Hint:

Think about what a folded chain of amino acids with a working active site is called.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understand what the question is asking.
The question asks about the basic chemical nature of enzymes, that is, which class of biomolecule they belong to.

Step 2: Recall the structure of an enzyme.
An enzyme is a biological catalyst built from a long chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. This chain folds into a specific three dimensional shape that creates a pocket called the active site, which binds to the substrate and speeds up the reaction. Because every enzyme is made this way, enzymes are classed as proteins.

Step 3: Rule out the other options.
Carbohydrates are sugars and starches used for energy and structural support, they cannot fold into an active site. Lipids are fats and oils used to store energy and build cell membranes, they also lack a catalytic shape. Amino acids are only the single small units that link up to build a protein, one amino acid alone cannot act as an enzyme.

Step 4: Final answer.
Since enzymes are folded chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds, enzymes are basically proteins.
\[ \boxed{\text{Proteins}} \]