Which enzyme converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide in S. mutans?

Which enzyme converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide in S. mutans?

• A. Catalase
• B. Peroxidase
• C. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)
• D. Glutathione Peroxidase

Answer: (C)

Superoxide dismutase is the enzyme that converts the reactive superoxide radical into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. The reaction is 2 O2− + 2 H+ → H2O2 + O2. This step helps protect S. mutans from oxidative damage by turning superoxide into a less reactive form. The hydrogen peroxide produced is then broken down by other enzymes like catalase or peroxidase, which finish the detoxification by converting H2O2 to water and oxygen. The other enzymes don’t generate hydrogen peroxide from superoxide; they act on hydrogen peroxide or other peroxides instead.

Superoxide dismutase is the enzyme that converts the reactive superoxide radical into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. The reaction is 2 O2− + 2 H+ → H2O2 + O2. This step helps protect S. mutans from oxidative damage by turning superoxide into a less reactive form. The hydrogen peroxide produced is then broken down by other enzymes like catalase or peroxidase, which finish the detoxification by converting H2O2 to water and oxygen. The other enzymes don’t generate hydrogen peroxide from superoxide; they act on hydrogen peroxide or other peroxides instead.