What term refers to an enzyme that has lost its ability to speed up a reaction due to shape alteration?

The term that refers to an enzyme that has lost its ability to catalyze a reaction due to a change in shape is "denatured." Enzymes are proteins that require a specific three-dimensional structure to function properly, and any alteration in their shape can disrupt their activity. Denaturation can occur due to various factors such as changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to certain chemicals.

When an enzyme is denatured, its active site, which is responsible for binding to the substrate and facilitating the chemical reaction, can be altered or destroyed, rendering the enzyme ineffective. This is a crucial concept in biochemistry and molecular biology, as the activity of enzymes is fundamental to many biological processes.

The other terms, while related to inactivity, do not specifically address the loss of structure leading to the loss of enzymatic function. "Inactivated" generally refers to enzymes that have been rendered inactive but does not imply structural change. "Neutralized" often pertains to acid-base reactions rather than enzyme functionality, and "decomposed" indicates a breakdown or decomposition of substances but does not necessarily involve the structural changes observed in enzyme denaturation. Thus, denatured captures the precise reason an enzyme is unable to catalyze a reaction due to