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BIO NMDCAT Biological Importance of Water
nmdcat.online June 27, 2026

The property of water that allows certain enzymes to use it as a “proton wire” or proton shuttle in active sites is its

A. Ability to form a rigid, ice-like structure at physiological temperatures
B. High dielectric constant and its ability to form a chain of hydrogen-bonded molecules for rapid proton hopping
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C. Low viscosity, allowing protons to diffuse through it rapidly
D. High heat of vaporization, providing the energy for proton transfer

📝 Explanation

Protons (H⁺) do not diffuse as free ions. Instead, they "hop" along a chain of hydrogen-bonded water molecules (Grotthuss mechanism). A water molecule accepts a proton on one side, and a different proton is released from the other side. This facilitates extremely rapid proton transfer in biological systems.

📖 Additional Information

  • Ability to form a rigid, ice-like structure at physiological temperatures
  • High dielectric constant and its ability to form a chain of hydrogen-bonded molecules for rapid proton hopping
  • Low viscosity, allowing protons to diffuse through it rapidly
  • High heat of vaporization, providing the energy for proton transfer

Protons (H⁺) do not diffuse as free ions. Instead, they "hop" along a chain of hydrogen-bonded water molecules (Grotthuss mechanism). A water molecule accepts a proton on one side, and a different proton is released from the other side. This facilitates extremely rapid proton transfer in biological systems.

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