Q. 16.32 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

What is the reactant for each of the following enzymes?

a. peptidase

b. cellulase

c. lactase

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(Part a)As a result, protein is the reactant for enzyme peptidase.

(Part b) As a result, cellulose is the reactant for the enzyme cellulase.

(Part c) As a result, Lactose is the reactant for the enzyme lactase.

Step 1: Introduction (Part a)

Peptidase is also known as protease, proteolytic enzyme, or proteinase. It breaks down peptide bonds in proteins.

Step 2: Given information (Part a)

It breaks down peptide bonds in proteins. Proteins are broken down into smaller polypeptides or single amino acids.

Step 3: Explanation (Part a)

Peptidase is also known as protease, proteolytic enzyme, or proteinase. It breaks down peptide bonds in proteins. Proteins are broken down into smaller polypeptides or single amino acids.

protein $\underset{\text{ ecptitses }}{⟶}$ a mixture of smaller polypeptides or single amino acids

$\mathrm{R}-\mathrm{CO}-{\mathrm{NHR}}^{\text{'}}\stackrel{\text{ ropliduse }}{⟶}\mathrm{R}-\mathrm{COOH}+{\mathrm{R}}^{\text{'}}{\mathrm{NH}}_2$

As a result, protein is the reactant for enzyme peptidase.

Step 4: Given information (Part b)

Cellulose is hydrolyzed by cellulase. Cellulose is a polysaccharide that is linear. Cellulose contains a number of glucose molecules.$\beta -1,4$ linkages.

Step 5: Explanation (Part b)

• Cellulase hydrolyzes cellulose. Cellulose is a linear polysaccharide. Cellulose contains several glucose molecules by $\beta -1,4$ linkages.
• Cellulase is an enzyme that degrades cellulose into smaller polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, or monosaccharides (glucose molecules).
• Cellulose $\stackrel{\text{ setluase }}{⟶}$ a mixture of smaller polysaccharides, oligosaccharides                                       or monosaccharides (glucose molecules).
• As a result, cellulose is the reactant for the enzyme cellulase.

Step 6: Given information (Part c)

Lactase is an enzyme that converts lactose into the monosaccharides galactose and glucose.

Step 7: Explanation (Part c)

• Lactase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes lactose, a milk sugar. Lactose is a disaccharide made up of the monosaccharides galactose and glucose.
• Lactase is an enzyme that converts lactose into the monosaccharides galactose and glucose.
• Lactose $\stackrel{\text{ lastoe }}{⟶}$ galactose + glucose
• Lactose is thus the reactant for the enzyme lactase.