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Chapter 20: Problem 6

What is an enzyme, and what is a proteolytic enzyme?

Short Answer

Expert verified
An enzyme is a protein that accelerates a specific chemical reaction in a cell. A proteolytic enzyme, also called a protease, is a kind of enzyme that leads proteolysis, which is the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids.

Step by step solution

01

Defining an Enzyme

An enzyme is a type of protein that speeds up a specific chemical reaction in a cell. Enzymes work by lowering the energy needed for a reaction to occur, effectively making biochemical reactions possible under conditions that sustain life.
02

Understanding what Proteolysis means

Proteolysis refers to the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids. This is crucial for an array of physiological processes, from digestion to the regulation of cellular processes.
03

Defining a Proteolytic Enzyme

Given what we know from Steps 1 and 2, a proteolytic enzyme can then be defined. A proteolytic enzyme, also known as a protease, peptidase or proteinase, is a type of enzyme that conducts proteolysis by breaking down peptides (proteins) into amino acids, essentially catalyzing the breakdown of proteins.

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