Ethylene glycol is a chemical that is used to stop water from freezing. If ethylene glycol is accidentally swallowed, an enzyme in liver cells metabolises it and a toxic product is formed. Normally, this enzyme catalyses the oxidation of ethanol to a harmless product. People who have swallowed ethylene glycol are given large doses of ethanol. This stops a toxic product from being made and gives the body time to excrete the ethylene glycol. Which statement explains why this treatment is effective?
- AEthanol binds near the active site on the enzyme, altering its shape.
- BEthanol binds permanently to the active site of the enzyme, blocking it.
- CEthanol changes the tertiary structure of the enzyme, denaturing it.
- DEthanol is more likely to bind to the active site on the enzyme.