Answer to Question #130373 in Biochemistry for Arianna

Question

Identify the function of enzymes in the digestive system. Explain how the process of digestion would be affected if enzymes were not present, Identify which enzyme is in each of the stock containers, and justify your choices. Construct a written explanation to describe how the scientists can identify the digestive enzymes.

Answer 1

Enzymes are globular proteins that control biological reactions. Digestive enzymes speed up the breakdown through hydrolysis of food molecules into their components. These reactions occur outside of the cells lining the gut.

Digestive enzymes break down large food molecules to small molecules.

Amylase in the mouth breaks down starch to glucose while Pepsin in the stomach breaks down proteins to amino acids. Trypsin in the pancreas breaks down fats

Enzymes are highly specific and efficient biological catalysts. The human body would thus not exist without enzymes as they speed up various chemical reactions in the body.

Enzymes are classified according to the type of chemical reaction catalysed. All digestive enzymes are hydrolases, whereas most of the enzymes involved in energy release for muscular contraction are oxidation-reduction enzymes such as oxidases, hydrogenases and dehydrogenases.