Catabolism of H2O2 is carried out by
**Core Concept**
Catalase is a crucial enzyme involved in the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in various cells, including red blood cells, liver, and kidney. It plays a vital role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and preventing oxidative damage. The catabolism of H2O2 is an essential process that involves the breakdown of this reactive oxygen species into water and oxygen.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Catalase (CAT) is a heme-containing enzyme that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen through a two-step reaction. In the first step, hydrogen peroxide is reduced to water, and in the second step, oxygen is released as a byproduct. This reaction occurs in the cytosol of cells and is a critical defense mechanism against oxidative stress. The enzyme's activity is essential for maintaining the balance between the production and degradation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because catalase is a specific enzyme that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, whereas the other options are not directly involved in this process.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide (O2-) radical into either ordinary molecular oxygen (O2) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), but it does not catabolize H2O2.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because glutathione peroxidase is an enzyme that reduces lipid hydroperoxides to their corresponding alcohols and reduces free hydrogen peroxide to water, but it is not the primary enzyme responsible for the catabolism of H2O2.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential to note that catalase is not present in red blood cells, which lack peroxisomes and therefore rely on glutathione peroxidase for H2O2 catabolism. This is a critical difference in cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms between different cell types.
**Correct Answer: C. Catalase**