The enzyme carbonic anhydrase catalyzes the decomposition of [tex]\( H_2CO_3 \)[/tex] (carbonic acid) into water ([tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex]) and carbon dioxide ([tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex]). In a biochemical reaction, the substrate is the molecule on which the enzyme acts.
Given the reaction:
[tex]\[ H_2CO_3 \rightarrow H_2O + CO_2 \][/tex]
In this reaction:
- Carbonic anhydrase is the enzyme that facilitates the decomposition.
- [tex]\( H_2CO_3 \)[/tex] is the molecule that is being decomposed by the enzyme.
- [tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex] and [tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex] are the products of the reaction.
Therefore, [tex]\( H_2CO_3 \)[/tex] is the substrate in this catalyzed reaction.
The correct answer is (B) [tex]\( H_2CO_3 \)[/tex].
