Proteins and their functions and uses Flashcards
What are proteins made of?
Long chains of amino acids
that are folded to produce a
specific shape that enables
other molecules to fit into the
protein.
What functions do proteins
carry out in the body?
Act as structural components,
such as muscles; hormones,
antibodies, catalysts
What are enzymes?
Proteins that act as biological
catalysts to increase the rate
of chemical reactions.
Do all enzymes work at all pH
values?
No; each enzyme works best
at a specific pH.
What happens to the shape of
the enzyme when the pH is too
high or too low and the
temperature is too high?
The shape changes. The
enzyme can no longer perform
its function. We say the
enzyme has denatured.
Where do most enzymes,
apart from digestive enzymes
work?
Inside body cells.
Define digestion
Breaking large, insoluble food
molecules into smaller, soluble
food molecules to they can be
passed into the blood stream
in the small intestines.
Where is the enzyme amylase
produced?
Salivary glands, pancreas,
small intestines
Which food group is broken
down by amylase?
Starch into sugars in the
mouth and small intestines
Where is the enzyme protease
produced?
Stomach, pancreas, small
intestines
Which food group is broken
down by protease?
Proteins into amino acids in
the stomach and small
intestines.
Where is the enzyme lipase
produced?
Pancreas and small intestines
Which food group is broken
down by lipase?
Fats into fatty acids and
glycerol in the small intestines.
Why is HCl, produced by the
stomach, required?
Because the enzymes in the
stomach work best at a low pH
What is the role of bile,
produced by the liver and
stored in the gall bladder,
during digestion?
To neutralise the acid
produced by the stomach and
provide alkaline conditions for
the enzymes in the small
intestines. Bile also acts as an
emulsifier. It breaks up large
fat molecules into small fat
droplets which increases the
surface area and makes
digestion of fats faster.
