25 Examples of Enzymes (and Their Function) - encyclopedia

Content

Conditions for enzyme activity
Classification
Enzymes in industrial processes
Examples of enzymes and their functions
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Theenzymes are proteins that act like catalysts, that is speed up chemical reactions without being consumed or becoming part of the products of that reaction. All the reactions that occur in the body have been mediated by enzymes, so it is clear that enzymes have a wide variety of functions in living organisms.

Among the functions of enzymes is that ofpromote digestion and absorption of nutrients, from the food you eat: digestive enzymes break down the protein, carbohydrates Y fats in assimilable substances.

In this sense it is said that enzymes are very useful in cases of abdominal bloating, gas and very heavy digestions in general. They also produce the inhibition of inflammatory processes and favor the hit recovery, as well as help to eliminate toxins and harmonize the immune system.

Conditions for enzyme activity

Enzyme activity, however, is performed with different efficacy depending on certain conditions that may exist in the body. For example, a higher substrate concentration or one higher concentration of the enzyme the rate at which the enzymatic reaction occurs increases, although up to a certain limit.

On the other hand, an increase of 10 ° C doubles the speed of the reaction, but at a certain limit the heat becomes counterproductive with the enzymatic activity. In addition, the optimum pH of enzymatic activity is 7 (except in digestive enzymes, located in the context acid stomach).

Classification

The classifications that are made of the enzymes vary between those that check their complexity, those that analyze their cofactors or those that are involved in enzymatic activity:

The hydrolases are those that catalyze hydrolysis reactions, while the isomerases are those that catalyze reactions in which one isomer is transformed into another. The garters catalyze the binding of molecules, while liasas they act in the reactions of addition or elimination of bonds. The oxidoreductases catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions (facilitating electron transfer) and tansferases they catalyze the transfer of a group from one substance to another.

Enzymes in industrial processes

There are many industrial processes that are tied to the normal functioning of enzymes. The alcoholic fermentation and other products intended for consumption, while many reactions that intervene in worlds such as construction depend on them.

Enzymes are sometimes used for medical purposes, intended to treat areas of local inflammation.

Here are some examples of types of enzymes with some of their functions, biological or industrial.

Examples of enzymes and their functions

Trypsin: Breaks peptide bonds adjacent to arginine or lysine.
Lactase: Used in the dairy industry, it prevents crystallization of concentrated milk.
Gastrine: It produces and secretes hydrochloric acid, while stimulating gastric mobility.
Dipeptidase: Producer of two amino acids.
Chymosin: Coagulates milk proteins in the cheese industry.
Lipase: Provides fatty acids, provided that it acts in an alkaline environment, with previous action of bile salts.
Secretin: It secretes water and sodium bicarbonate, in addition to inhibiting gastric motility.
Glucose isomerases: Allows the use of high fructose syrups in the production of sweet foods.
Papain: In the brewery, it is used to liquefy malt paste.
Bowel vasoactive peptide: Increases blood flow and secretes watery pancreatic fluid.
Sucaraa: Produces fructose and glucose.

Fiscina: Important in tenderizing meats.
Carboxypeptidase: Separates terminal carboxyamino acids.
Bromelain: It is involved in the production of hydrolysates.
Deoxyribonuclease: Produces nucleotides, with the DNA substrate.
Encephalin: Inhibits the secretion of pancreatic enzymes and interstitital motility.
Somatostatin: Inhibits the secretion of hydrochloric acid.
Amylase: Provides glucose in the stomach and pancreas, if it acts in an acid medium.
Lipoxidase: In the bread industry, it improves its quality and produces a very white crumb.
Pepsin: It produces peptides and amino acids in the stomach, a very acidic medium.
Ribonuclease: Produces nucleotides, with the RNA substrate.
Whole glucagon: Inhibits motility and secretion.
Pectinases: In the beverage industry, it improves the clarification and extraction of juices.
Tannasa: Converts glucose to fructose, in addition to preventing browning and off-flavors in some beverages.
Ptyalin: Provides monosaccharides and disaccharides, if it acts in a moderately alkaline environment.