What reaction does the enzyme alpha-amylase catalyze?

What reaction does the enzyme alpha-amylase catalyze?

α-Amylases (E.C. 3.2. 1.1) are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of the internal α-1,4-glycosidic linkages in starch, converting starch into low-molecular-weight products such as glucose, maltose, and maltotriose units (Rajagopalan and Krishnan, 2008; Gupta et al., 2003; Kandra, 2003).

What is the mechanism of action of amylase?

Amylases have extended substrate binding sites, in the range 4-9 glucose units. This enables the enzyme to stress the substrate and lower the activation energy for hydrolysis. Similarly the enzyme exerts a torsion on the glucose unit at the catalytic site, inducing a transition state conformation (oxycarbonium ion).

Is amylase a catalytic protein?

Abstract. Most starch hydrolases and related enzymes belong to the α-amylase family which contains a characteristic catalytic (β/α)8-barrel domain.

What is the biochemical action of α-amylase?

Alpha-amylase (α-amylase) is an enzyme EC 3.2. 1.1 that hydrolyses alpha bonds of large, alpha-linked polysaccharides, such as starch and glycogen, yielding shorter chains thereof, dextrins, and maltose.

What is the role of alpha-amylase in digestion?

Alpha-amylase begins the process of starch digestion. It takes starch chains and breaks them into smaller pieces with two or three glucose units.

How does amylase Catalyse starch?

Amylase acts as a catalyst for digestion, and it breaks down large starch molecules into smaller sugar molecules (Figure 3). Starch is broken down into maltose, which then is converted into glucose which is used for energy (Figure 4).

What is salivary amylase enzyme?

Salivary amylase is a glucose-polymer cleavage enzyme that is produced by the salivary glands. It comprises a small portion of the total amylase excreted, which is mostly made by the pancreas.

What is the substrate of the enzyme α-amylase?

The substrate for amylase is starch, a polysaccharide composed of amylose + amylopectin. The product of the amylase reaction is maltose, a disaccharide (made from two glucose molecules).

What is the function of alpha-amylase in saliva quizlet?

Salivary α-amylase is an enzyme that initiates carbohydrate digestion in the mouth and stomach.