Uses of enzymes

Question 1

name three ways enzymes can be used

Answer 1

Enzymes are used as biological detergents, to make bake pre-digested food (baby food) and in industry to speed up reactions

Question 2

what are biological washing powders made out of?

Answer 2

Proteases and lipases as these can break down plant and animal matter easily

Question 3

what temperature does biological washing powder work best at?

Answer 3

30’ so they don’t become denatured

Question 4

how are enzymes used to change food?

Answer 4

Often the food is put into a container with the enzyme that will digest it e.g. glucose to fructose using isomerase, it is broken down into a thinner substance often used in baby food

Question 5

how are enzymes used in industry?

Answer 5

The enzymes in industry are used to speed up reactions without the need for high temperatures and pressure

Question 6

what are the advantages of enzymes?

Answer 6

1. They only catalyse the reaction you want because of their specific shape
2. Using low temperatures and pressure means lower cost and energy saved
3. Enzymes work for a long time so any money lost buying them you make back
4. They are biodegradable so cause less environmental pollution

Question 7

what are the disadvantages of enzymes?

Answer 7

1. Some people can develop allergies to them
2. Enzymes can be denatured by just a small increase in temperature and pH so the conditions they work in need to be tightly controlled
3. Enzymes can be expensive to produce
4. Any contamination of the enzyme can affect the reaction