Name an enzyme that acts on each molecule.


a. Amylose

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that amylose is a polysaccharide composed of glucose units linked by α(1→4) glycosidic bonds.
2. Recognize that enzymes that break down polysaccharides are called amylases.
3. Identify that the specific enzyme that acts on amylose is called α-amylase.
4. Note that α-amylase catalyzes the hydrolysis of α(1→4) glycosidic bonds in amylose.
5. Remember that the action of α-amylase results in the production of smaller sugars like maltose and glucose.

Key Concepts

Enzymes

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. They are typically proteins that lower the activation energy required for reactions, allowing metabolic processes to occur efficiently. Each enzyme is specific to a particular substrate, meaning it only catalyzes a specific reaction or set of reactions.

Amylose

Amylose is a type of polysaccharide made up of glucose units linked by α(1→4) glycosidic bonds. It is a component of starch, which serves as an energy storage molecule in plants. Amylose is typically found in a helical structure, making it less soluble in water compared to its counterpart, amylopectin.

Amylase

Amylase is the enzyme that specifically acts on amylose and other starches, breaking them down into simpler sugars like maltose and glucose. There are two main types of amylase: salivary amylase, which begins the digestion of starch in the mouth, and pancreatic amylase, which continues this process in the small intestine. This enzymatic action is crucial for carbohydrate digestion and energy release.