Enzymes

Question 1

What are enzymes?

Answer 1

Enzymes are special proteins that act as biological catalysts, often breaking down molecules into shorter ones.

Question 2

What enzyme breaks down starch into glucose?

Answer 2

Amylase

Question 3

What enzyme breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars?

Answer 3

Carbohydrases

Question 4

What enzyme breaks down proteins into amino acids?

Answer 4

Protease

Question 5

What enzyme breaks down lipids into glycerol and fatty acids?

Answer 5

Lipase

Question 6

Describe the lock and key principle

Answer 6

Enzymes are specific so they only break down substrates that fit their active site. This is called an enzyme substrate complex.

Question 7

Describe enzyme activity.

Answer 7

Activity (rate of reaction) increases with temperature until the enzyme denatures (active site changes shape).

The same is true for too high or low pH levels

Optimum: condition for mad rate of activity.

Question 8

Describe the enzyme practical

Answer 8

1) mix amylase with starch and start timer.

2) remove a few drops from mixture every 10 seconds and add to iodine.

3) record the time taken for no starch to be detected (will remain orange).

4) repeat at different temperatures or with different pH buffer solutions added.