EOC WARM UP: BIOMOLECULES AND ENZYMES

Front

What is amylase?

Back

Amylase is a biocatalyst (enzyme) that hydrolyzes starch into simple sugars, primarily found in the pancreas and saliva.

Front

What type of biomolecule is amylase?

Back

Amylase is a protein.

Front

What is the optimal pH range for most human enzymes?

Back

The optimal pH range for most human enzymes is 6–8.

Front

What happens to salivary amylase when food enters the stomach?

Back

The action of salivary amylase slows dramatically due to the lower pH in the stomach.

Front

What causes salivary amylase to stop digesting food?

Back

The pH of the stomach is lower than in the mouth.

Front

What are monomers?

Back

Monomers are small, basic molecular units that can join together to form larger molecules (macromolecules).

Front

What is a macromolecule?

Back

A macromolecule is a large complex molecule, such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, formed from smaller units (monomers).

Front

How do amino acids relate to proteins?

Back

Amino acids combine to form proteins through peptide bonds.

Front

What is the 'lock and key' analogy in enzyme function?

Back

The 'lock and key' analogy describes how each enzyme fits with only one specific kind of substrate, similar to how a key fits into a lock.

Front

What is a substrate in the context of enzymes?

Back

A substrate is the reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.