Enzyme optimum temperature from rate data

Steps:

• Review rates: they rise from 3 at 10°C to 33 at 40°C, then fall to 14 at 50°C.
• Identify peak rate at 40°C, indicating maximum enzyme activity.
• Note the range where rates are increasing (up to 40°C) and starting to decline (at 50°C).
• Determine optimum as the temperature yielding highest rate, within the tested interval.

Why C is correct:

• Optimum temperature is where reaction rate peaks, per enzyme kinetics; here, the maximum (33 units) at 40°C falls between 30°C (16 units) and 50°C (14 units).

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Peak is at 40°C, but conclusion requires broader interval confirmation from data trend.
• B: Drop at 50°C shows denaturation, not anomaly, as it's expected beyond optimum.
• D: No data at 60°C; denaturation inference lacks evidence.

Final answer: C