Enzymes

bile

Yellowy-green liquid made in the liver and stored in the gall bladder. It is released into the small intestine and emulsifies fats.

biological detergent

Washing detergent that contains enzymes.

carbohydrase

Enzyme which speeds up the breakdown of carbohydrates.

catalyst

A substance which speeds up a chemical reaction. At the end of the reaction the catalyst remains chemically unchanged.

activation energy

The minimum energy needed to start off a reaction.

active site

The site on an enzyme where the reactants bind.

amino acid

The building block of protein.

amylase

The enzyme made in the salivary glands and the pancreas which speeds up the breakdown of starch into simple sugars.

denatured

Change the shape of an enzyme so that it can no longer speed up a reaction.

digested

Broken down into small molecules by the digestive enzymes.

digestive juices

The mixture of enzymes and other chemicals produced by the digestive system.

emulsifies

Breaks down into tiny droplets which will form an emulsion.

enzyme

A protein molecule that acts as biological catalyst.

fatty acids

An acidic building block of lipids.

glycerol

A neutral building block of lipids.

Glycogen

Carbohydrate store in animals, including the muscles, liver and brain.

isomerase

An enzyme which converts one form of a molecule into another.

lipase

Enzyme which breaks down fats and oils into glycerol and fatty acids.

lipids

Fats and oils.

protease

An enzyme which breaks down protein.

salivary glands

Glands in the jaw which secrete salivary amylase.

substrate

The material or molecule upon which an enzyme acts.