Proteins Flashcards
Proteins are made of what?
Long chains of amino acids.
What feature of proteins allows certain molecules to fit into certain proteins?
The long chains of amino acids are folded into specific shapes.
Proteins can act as:
Structural components for tissues.
Hormones.
Antibodies.
Catalysts.
Catalysts do what to a reaction?
Increase the rate of reaction.
Biological catalysts are known as…
…enzymes.
Enzymes are what type of substance?
Proteins.
An enzymes shape is vital for…
…its function.
High temperatures change what about an enzyme?
Its shape. This is known as the enzyme denaturing as it is a permanent change.
pH can do what to an enzyme?
Denature it.
Factors that can cause an enzyme to denature:
Temperature.
pH.
Enzymes in the gut are specialised to do what?
Breakdown large food molecules into smaller food molecules.
Amylase is produced where?
In the salivary glands, pancreas and small intestine.
Amylase does what?
Breaks down starch into sugar in the mouth and small intestine.
Protease is produced where?
In the stomach, pancreas and small intestine.
Protease does what?
Catalyses the breakdown of proteins into amino acids in the stomach and small intestine.
Lipase does what?
Catalyses the break down fats (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol in the small intestine.
Lipase is produced where?
In the pancreas and small intestine.
Bile is produced where?
The liver.
Bile is stored where?
The gall blander.
Bile is released where?
The small intestine.
Bile does what in the small intestine?
Neutralises the acidic food from the stomach to provide alkali conditions for the enzymes in the small intestine to work most effectively.
Uses of enzymes in the home:
Biological washing detergents (lipase and protease).
Biological detergents are more effective at low temperatures than non-biological.
Uses of enzymes in industry:
Protease can be used to “pre-digest” baby food.
Carbohydrase can be used to turn starch into sugar syrup.
Isomerase can be used to turn glucose into fructose.
Advantages of enzymes in industry include…
…enzymes bringing about reactions at normal temperatures and pressures that would otherwise be expensive to produce.
Disadvantages of enzymes in industry include…
…most enzymes denaturing at high temperatures and many being costly to produce.
