I understand that a mylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch
ID: 6676 • Letter: I
Question
I understand that amylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into simpler compounds, but I can't find any written sources that explain what the biological roles are of amylase in organisms that make it such as plants, herbivores, and decomposers. Also, what type of organism don't make amylase. Please provide sources if possible. Thank you! I understand that amylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into simpler compounds, but I can't find any written sources that explain what the biological roles are of amylase in organisms that make it such as plants, herbivores, and decomposers. Also, what type of organism don't make amylase. Please provide sources if possible. Thank you!Explanation / Answer
One place where amylase is found is human saliva; and, as you said, it begins the digestion of carbohydrates (polysaccarides) into simpler compounds (monosaccarides), such as glucose. This is why if you chew a soda cracker for a long enough time, it becomes sweet -- it's being broken down into simple sugars. And glucose, as you probably know, is particularly important for celluar respiration. Digestion, I believe, is one of the more important uses of amylase. Amylases are derived from animal, fungal and plant sources. Here's a website for reference: http://www.greatvistachemicals.com/biochemicals/amylase.html