Estella spilled tomato sauce on her shirt. When she washed it, she noticed that her detergent contained enzymes. These enzymes are added to detergents to break down proteins from food and other stains. Which factor would Most likely inhibit the enzymes' ability to remove the stain from her shirt? A. The type of fibers her shirt is made of B. The amount of dissolved minerals in the water C. The water temperature D. The fragrances in the detergent

Among the options provided, the factor most likely to inhibit the enzymes' ability to remove the stain from Estella's shirt is: C. The water temperature

• Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions, including those that break down other proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. They are most effective at a specific temperature range and can become less active or denature (lose their structure and functionality) if the temperature is too high or too low.
• If the water temperature is too hot, it can denature the enzymes, meaning they lose their three-dimensional shape, which is crucial for their function. A denatured enzyme will not fit with its substrate (in this case, the stain molecules) properly, and thus will not catalyze the stain removal effectively. Conversely, if the water is too cold, the enzymes' activity can also be slowed down significantly, making them much less effective at removing the stain.