What is the reactant for each of the following enzymes?


a. galactase

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the enzyme in question: galactase.
2. Understand that enzymes typically act on specific substrates, which are often indicated by the enzyme's name.
3. Recognize that the prefix 'galact-' in 'galactase' suggests that the enzyme acts on a substrate related to galactose.
4. Recall that galactose is a type of sugar, specifically a monosaccharide, which is a common substrate for enzymes with the 'galact-' prefix.
5. Conclude that the reactant for the enzyme galactase is likely galactose, as enzymes are named based on the substrate they act upon.

Key Concepts

Enzymatic Function

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. Each enzyme is specific to a particular reaction or type of reaction, meaning it will only catalyze the conversion of specific substrates into products. Understanding the function of an enzyme is crucial for identifying its reactants.

Substrate Specificity

Substrate specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to select and bind to a particular substrate among many potential candidates. This specificity is determined by the enzyme's active site, which has a unique shape that complements the shape of its substrate. For galactase, the substrate is typically galactose, which it acts upon.

Galactase

Galactase, often referred to as galactosidase, is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of galactose-containing compounds. It plays a vital role in carbohydrate metabolism, particularly in the digestion of lactose, which is a disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose. Identifying galactose as the reactant is essential for understanding the enzyme's function.