Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Enzymes
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. They are typically proteins that lower the activation energy required for reactions, allowing metabolic processes to occur efficiently. Each enzyme is specific to a particular substrate, meaning it only catalyzes a specific reaction or set of reactions.
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Amylose
Amylose is a type of polysaccharide made up of long chains of glucose units linked by α(1→4) glycosidic bonds. It is a component of starch, which serves as an energy storage molecule in plants. Understanding amylose is crucial for identifying the enzymes that can break it down into simpler sugars.
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Amylase
Amylase is the enzyme that specifically acts on amylose, catalyzing the hydrolysis of the glycosidic bonds in starch. There are two main types of amylase: salivary amylase, which begins starch digestion in the mouth, and pancreatic amylase, which continues the process in the small intestine. This enzyme is essential for converting starches into sugars that can be absorbed by the body.
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