Peeling, cutting or crushing onion tissue releases which enzyme that makes our eyes water?
- AXylanases
- BBordelaises
- CAllinases
- DPectinases
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
When an onion is cut or crushed, its cells are broken, releasing an enzyme called allinase (or alliinase). This enzyme reacts with amino acid sulfoxides to produce sulfenic acids, which rearrange into a volatile gas called syn-propanethial-S-oxide that stimulates sensory neurons in the eyes, causing tears.