Zinc, an essential trace element for most organisms, is present in the active site of the enzyme carboxypeptidase. The zinc most likely functions as . Zinc, an essential trace element for most organisms, is present in the active site of the enzyme carboxypeptidase. The zinc most likely functions as . a noncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme an allosteric activator of the enzyme a coenzyme derived from a vitamin a cofactor necessary for enzyme activity

The correct answer is a cofactor for enzyme activity.

Explanation:

Carboxypeptidase is a metallo-enzyme in which zinc is present at active site. It has been accounted for by Coleman and Vallee that the protein can be deactivated by the removal of zinc and that reactive again by the expansion of zinc, cobaltous, ferrous, nickel. which suggests that zinc is acting as the cofactor for this metalloenzyme. Zinc is a cofactor for up to 300 chemicals in the body. Proteins that utilization zinc as a cofactor is known as metalloenzymes.

Thus, the correct answer is a cofactor for enzyme activity.