AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

The enzyme utilized to soften the zonules of the lens prior to cataract surgery is alpha-chymotrypsin. This enzyme is particularly effective because it acts on the connective tissue structures, specifically breaking down proteins in the zonules, which hold the lens of the eye in place. The softening of these zonules is crucial for the surgical procedure, allowing the surgeon to remove the cataractous lens more easily and with less trauma to surrounding tissues. Alpha-chymotrypsin is chosen for this purpose due to its ability to target and hydrolyze specific peptide bonds in the proteins that comprise the zonules. This action permits the zonules to be relaxed, facilitating the dislocation of the lens during surgery. The use of alpha-chymotrypsin helps to enhance patient safety and improve surgical outcomes. Other options, while being proteolytic enzymes, do not have the same precise function or efficacy regarding the zonules in the context of cataract surgery. For instance, trypsin and chymotrypsin have different profiles in terms of enzymatic activity and may not be as effective in this specific application. Pepsin, primarily active in the acidic environment of the stomach, is not relevant to the ocular context and does not