Question

enzymes - how do they work?
enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in our bodies. any chemical that speeds up reactions is called a catalyst. enzymes are essential for many processes in our body, such as digestion. an enzyme called lactase breaks down a sugar found in milk, called lactose. some adults do not have a lactase enzyme and cannot digest milk. people who are lactose intolerant should avoid dairy!
most enzymes work by binding to a substrate. enzymes are specific to their substrates. each has an active site that matches the substrate, fitting like a lock and a key. when the enzyme and substrate combine, it is called the enzyme - substrate complex. once an enzyme and substrate join, the active site is blocked, so no other substrate can fit until the reaction is complete.
once the reaction is complete, the products release from the active site. this frees the enzyme to interact with other substrates. the reactions will continue until there is no longer any substrate to interact with.

1. color and label the diagram showing how the enzyme amylase breaks down starch into sugars.

enzymes (red) substrates (blue) products (green) active site (highlight pink)

1. enzymes bind with products | substrates.
2. the enzyme that breaks down starch is called amylase | catalase.
3. enzymes are | are not reusable.
4. enzymes slow down | speed up reactions.
5. lactase helps to break down products | lactose into simple sugars.
6. when an enzyme joins with a substrate, it is called the enzyme - substrate product | complex.
7. if you add more substrate, the reaction will continue | stop.
8. if you add more enzyme, the reaction will continue | stop.
9. enzymes are essential to life processes, like reproduction | digestion.

Explanation:

1. For coloring and labeling the diagram, follow the given color - code: color enzymes red, substrates blue, products green and highlight the active site pink.
2. Enzymes bind with substrates as they are specific to them and form an enzyme - substrate complex.
3. Amylase is the enzyme that breaks down starch.
4. Enzymes are reusable as they are not consumed in the reaction and can bind with multiple substrates.
5. Enzymes speed up reactions as they are biological catalysts.
6. Lactase breaks down lactose into simple sugars.
7. When an enzyme joins with a substrate, it forms the enzyme - substrate complex.
8. Adding more substrate will allow the reaction to continue as long as there are available enzymes.
9. Adding more enzyme will increase the rate of reaction and it will continue if there is substrate present.
10. Enzymes are crucial for life processes like digestion.

Answer:

1. Color and label as per instructions (enzymes red, substrates blue, products green, active site pink).
2. substrates
3. amylase
4. are
5. speed up
6. lactose
7. complex
8. continue
9. continue
10. digestion