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Personal anecdote about favorite protein relating to Pac-Man
Enzymes Overview
Enzymes are mostly proteins.
Shape of enzymes resembles Pac-Man:
Active site = specific area where substrates bind.
Binding is very specific due to shape compatibility.
Mechanism of Enzymes
Induced Fit: Active site changes shape to accommodate substrate – likened to an "enzyme-substrate hug."
Enzymes speed up reactions that can occur spontaneously but are made more efficient with enzymes.
Real-Life Example: Lactase
Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose (a disaccharide).
Lactose consists of two sugar molecules; difficult to digest without lactase.
Lactose Intolerance: Condition where individuals do not produce enough lactase, causing digestive issues with lactose.
Enzymes as catalysts: They are not consumed in reactions and can be reused.
Types of Digestive Enzymes
Lipase: Breaks down lipids (fats).
Amylase: Breaks down starch.
Protease: Breaks down proteins.
Digestive system heavily relies on various enzymes.
Enzyme Helpers
Cofactors and Coenzymes: Assist enzymes by binding to substrates or active sites to enhance enzyme function.
Enzyme Conditions
Enzymes function optimally at specific pH and temperature ranges.
Example: Stomach enzymes require an acidic environment.
Denaturation: If conditions change outside ideal ranges, enzymes can lose shape and functionality (similar to the distortion of Pac-Man when touched by ghosts).
Conclusion
Enzymes are crucial for many bodily processes and are a focus in medical research due to their role in health and diseases.