The urease enzyme is crucial for certain bacteria to survive in acidic environments by catalyzing the conversion of urea into ammonia, which can neutralize acid.
Analysis of Each Option:
(A) Incorrect: Caenorhabditis elegans, a nematode, does not utilize urease as part of its metabolic processes.
(B) Incorrect: Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly, does not produce urease.
(C) Correct: Helicobacter pylori expresses urease, which is a critical factor in its ability to colonize the human stomach, neutralizing stomach acid through the production of ammonia.
(D) Incorrect: Humans (Homo sapiens) do not produce urease. The presence of urease in humans is typically associated with bacterial infection.
Conclusion:
Explanation:
Helicobacter pylori's expression of urease is a well-documented mechanism that helps protect the bacteria from the acidic environment of the stomach, enabling it to cause infections that can lead to ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders.