amylase is an enzyme present in saliva that begins the breakdown of starch. It is specific to its chemical reaction.
2007-02-02 06:07:13 · 4 answers · asked by Diane S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
More than one enzyme, amylases are a family of enzymes, all involved in digesting starch chains and all acting on alpha 1-4 glucosidic bonds.
Each amylase has a precise specificity, determined by the structure of the active site. In fact, according to the "lock and key" model that you mention, an enzyme can only be active on substrates that fit into its active site. As an example, alpha-amylase digests mainly long-chain carbohydrates, ultimately yielding maltotriose and maltose from amylose, or maltose, glucose and "limit dextrin" from amylopectin. On the other hand gamma-amilase will digest amylose and amylopectin, yielding glucose.
The active site is normally a pocket created by the folding of the enzyme into a 3D molecule. This phenomenon is determined by its primary aminoacidic structure and by its overall charge. Therefore if the "shape" is altered, it would make sense to predict a change in specificity or the inactivation of the enzyme.
2007-02-02 06:34:17 · answer #1 · answered by Jesus is my Savior 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A slight change in amylase shape may completely destroy the function of it. The reason is that, being an enzyme, amylase is highly substrate-specific. The amylose must be able to bind to the active site. If the shape changes, the amylose may not fit in the "lock", and thus the enzyme is dysfunctional.
2007-02-09 14:13:32 · answer #2 · answered by kz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A change in the enzyme shape would result in the inability of the substrate (starch) to bind to the active site. Without anything bound to the active site, nothing will take place.
2007-02-04 00:42:31 · answer #3 · answered by sistergalactic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, what do you expect when a legend gets such a poor decision that goes against him! After all there wasn't even a great appeal? I think Dravid saw how preposterous the decision was & more so shocked to see the umpire raise his finger in utmost confidence. That's what made him explode. The umpiring in this IPL has been nothing short of mediocre especially for Indian umpires
2016-03-29 01:41:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋