Question

a specialized protein in saliva breaks up starch molecules in food into smaller chains of simple sugars. in this reaction, which molecule is the enzyme, which is the substrate, and which is the product? one of the four answer choices will not be used.

enzyme

substrate

product

answer bank

the saliva
the specialized protein
the starch molecules
the small chains of simple sugars

Explanation:

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze reactions. The substrate is the molecule the enzyme acts upon, and the product is what is formed after the reaction. Here, the specialized protein in saliva is the enzyme, starch molecules are the substrate, and small - chains of simple sugars are the product. Saliva is just the medium and not an enzyme, substrate, or product in this context.

Answer:

Enzyme: the specialized protein
Substrate: the starch molecules
Product: the small chains of simple sugars