Question: What is the structure of alpha amylase? Whats bonds are present in its active site and how is it adapted to hydrolyse starch. Also how exactly does alpha amylase hydrolyse starch. Thanks!!!!

Michael Craig answered on 18 Mar 2013:

Hi Musa, wow complex question, it’s been a long time since I did anything about amylase. From what I remember it is a small amino acid chain that is folded in to a tertiary shape that makes three different domains that each have their own functions in breaking down complex sugars (this is the ‘active site’). Two of them are (i think) constant between amylase molecules and the third can vary. Some are more complex than others and some can fold in to more complex shapes giving different active sites for different sugars. I couldn’t give you any info on how the active sites are adapted but I do know that hydrolysis is the addition of H2O. This hydrolyses the bonds between each of the sugar molecules in the long chain breaking the chains down in to things like maltose and glucose.

Sorry that’s all I can think of, it’s been a fair few years!
Michael