Biology Quiz - Enzymes

An enzyme has a specific 'shape' known as the active site, which allows it to catalyze bodily reactions. The active site is a region on the enzyme's surface where the reactant molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction. This specific shape of the active site enables the enzyme to interact with the substrate molecules in a precise and complementary manner, facilitating the conversion of reactants into products. This interaction involves a temporary binding of the substrate to the active site, resulting in the formation of an enzyme-substrate complex and the subsequent catalysis of the reaction.

When enzymes are in an environment past the temperature they work best at, they denature. This means that the high temperature causes the enzyme's structure to change, disrupting its active site. As a result, the enzyme loses its ability to bind to its substrate and catalyze the reaction effectively. Denaturation can be irreversible, rendering the enzyme permanently inactive.

Lipase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of lipids (fats) into their component parts. In this case, the products of the chemical reaction that lipase catalyzes are glycerol and fatty acid.

Amylase, Protease, and Lipase are all enzymes that play a role in digestion. However, "Nomase" does not exist and is not a known enzyme. Therefore, "Nomase" is the odd one out as it does not belong to the category of digestive enzymes.

Protease is an enzyme that helps in the breakdown of proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids. The stomach is one of the primary sites where protease is produced. The gastric chief cells in the stomach lining secrete an inactive form of protease called pepsinogen. When pepsinogen comes into contact with the acidic environment of the stomach, it is converted into its active form, pepsin. Pepsin then plays a crucial role in breaking down dietary proteins into smaller fragments, facilitating digestion. Hence, the stomach is a significant source of protease production in the body.