You are a student working in the laboratory of a researcher who studies rainbow trout. A power outage over the weekend results in temperatures of over 25°C in the large pools which house the fish. When you arrive Monday morning you notice the fish are swimming on their sides or swimming in spirals. What conclusions can you draw?
A) The fish are suffering thermal stress.
B) The fish are experiencing improper neuronal function.
C) The affinity of acetylcholinesterase for acetylcholine is reduced.
D) The temperature of the water is affecting fish enzyme shape and flexibility.
E) All of the choices are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms observed in the fish indicate thermal stress, which can lead to improper neuronal function due to the effect of high temperatures on enzyme activity, including enzymes like acetylcholinesterase. The high temperature can reduce the affinity of acetylcholinesterase for its substrate, acetylcholine, and affect the shape and flexibility of enzymes, impacting their function.

You Are a Student Working in the Laboratory of a Researcher