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!!!!
What an advanced question! An excellent question but I’m afraid a little beyond my knowledge of biology, although I know one of us five is a biologist at heart, perhaps they’ll be able to help you!
Hi Musa, I think that’s Jen trying to drop me in it. I’m afraid that my knowledge of alpha amylase comes from GCSE biology and that was 20 years ago for me now, so I’d go with Susanna’s suggestion and maybe ask your biology teacher.
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
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Jen commented on :
Haha sorry Ben! My biology knowledge is limited, your answers have been ahead of mine is all 🙂