Enzymes We Love, Fear and Take for Granted

One Enzyme To Love

Galactosidase

Stachyose: A sugar found in many foods Beans Vegetables Fruits Soy Products

Stachyose: Break it down! ----ose = means it is a sugar Stachyose is a complex sugar made of fructose, glucose and galactose Stomach enzymes can break down the fructose but the rest of the molecule moves to our intestines

Bacterial Enzymes and Fermentation We rely on bacteria in our intestines to break down the remaining sugar molecule so we can absorb it into our bloodstream and use it. This process is fermentation Fermentation causes GAS!!!

Antiobtics Antibiotics can destroy the bacteria in our intestines Absorption of necessary nutrients does not happen efficiently Discomfort and incomplete digestion occurs Antibiotics also interfere with birth control medications

Beano to the Rescue!!! Beano contains an Enzyme “galactosidase” which acts on the bonds in galactose sugars, It hydrolyzes (breaks down) the remaining sugars in our stomachs before it goes to our intestines.

When is a good time to take Beano? If you take “Beano” before you eat, the enzymes will be ready in your stomach to break down the sugars and reduce the possibility of having intestinal gas.

One Enzyme To Fear

Phospholipase

Venom Containing Phospholipase The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake The Indian Cobra

Phospholipase A2 Phospholipase is an enzyme that acts on phospholipids. When this enzyme acts on fatty acids, it produces lysolecithin which acts like a detergent .

Lysolecithin This detergent-like by-product dissolves the (phospholipid bilayer) membrane of red blood cells Several thousand people die each year as a result of snake bites.

Enzymes We Take For Granted

We can’t use our food without enzymes! Digestive Enzymes We can’t use our food without enzymes!

Digestive Enzymes Amylase: enzyme in our saliva and also secreted by the pancreas to breaks down carbohydrates

Digestive Enzymes Lipase: Breaks down lipids like fats and oils in our diet.

Digestive Enzymes Proteases: (Trypsin and Chymotryosin) break down proteins into amino acids that can be absorbed and used by our bodies.

Phenylalanine Hydroxalase This enzyme converts the amino acid phenylalanine to the amino acid tyrosine. Without this enzyme Phenalanine builds up and can cause brain damage leading to intellectual impairment and seizures

Birth Anomaly Some children are born without the necessary enzyme and must continually monitor their diet. No aspartame because it contains phenylalanine.

How Enzymes Work The enzyme reacts with a substrate. Enzymes can be used over and over. It speeds up the reaction by lowering the activation energy.

How Enzymes Work 4. The active site is where the substrate can bind for the reaction to take place. 5. Enzymes will only work with a certain substrate that will fit the active site. 6. Without enzymes reactions like digestion and energy production would take too long.