Enzymes and Digestion

• What are enzymes primarily made of?

  Enzymes are large proteins.
• What is the role of enzymes in organisms?


  Enzymes control chemical reactions (metabolism).
• How do enzymes function as catalysts?


  They speed up chemical reactions.
• What is the significance of the active site of an enzyme?

  The active site has a specific shape that allows a specific molecule to fit into it.
• What does the 'lock and key' model of enzyme action illustrate?

  It illustrates how a specific molecule fits into the active site of an enzyme.
• Where is bile produced and stored?

  Bile is made in the liver and stored in the gall bladder.
• What is the pH of bile and why is it important?

  Bile is alkaline and neutralizes stomach acid, making the pH 8, which is optimal for enzymes in the small intestine.
• What is the function of bile in digestion?

  Bile emulsifies fats, breaking them into small droplets to increase surface area for digestion by lipase.
• What are the three main types of digestive enzymes and their functions?

  • Carbohydrase (e.g., amylase): Breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars.
  • Protease: Breaks down proteins into amino acids.
  • Lipase: Breaks down lipids into glycerol and fatty acids.
• What is the role of the human digestive system?

  The digestive system breaks down food molecules into simpler molecules that can be absorbed by cells.
• What is mechanical digestion and where does it occur?

  Mechanical digestion occurs in the mouth and stomach, where food is physically broken into smaller pieces.
• What is chemical digestion and what role do enzymes play in it?

  Chemical digestion breaks down large food molecules into smaller ones, and enzymes facilitate this process.
• What is an enzyme?

  An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.
• What is a digestive enzyme?


  A digestive enzyme is an enzyme that works in the digestive system to break down large food molecules into smaller ones.
• What is the active site of an enzyme?

  The active site is the part of an enzyme where the reaction takes place.
• What does it mean to denature an enzyme?

  To denature an enzyme means to change the shape of its active site, often due to high temperature or incorrect pH.
• What is a substrate in the context of enzymes?

  A substrate is the molecule that fits into an enzyme's active site and reacts to form products.
• What are carbohydrates made of?

  Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• What are the two types of carbohydrates mentioned?

  Simple sugars (like glucose) and complex sugars (like starch).
• What is the scientific name for fat?

  The scientific name for fat is lipid.
• What are lipids made of?

  Lipids are made up of glycerol and fatty acids, mainly composed of carbon and hydrogen.
• What are proteins made from?

  Proteins are made from amino acids.
• What is the difference between structural and metabolic proteins?

  Structural proteins provide support (e.g., muscle), while metabolic proteins control chemical reactions (e.g., enzymes).
• What does 'optimum' refer to in the context of enzymes?

  'Optimum' refers to the ideal temperature or pH for enzymes to work effectively.