Enzymes, Acids, and Bases PDF

# ENZYMES ## ACID AND BASES ### CATALYST Biological catalysts, meaning they speed up reactions in the body, including digestion, metabolism, and energy production. * Lipase - helps break down fats into smaller molecules. * Amylase - breaks down carbohydrates, specifically starches, into simpler s...

# ENZYMES ## ACID AND BASES ### CATALYST Biological catalysts, meaning they speed up reactions in the body, including digestion, metabolism, and energy production. * Lipase - helps break down fats into smaller molecules. * Amylase - breaks down carbohydrates, specifically starches, into simpler sugars like glucose. * Lactase - breaks down lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. * Protease - breaks down proteins into smaller pieces called amino acids. Each enzyme works best at a specific pH level, which is called its **optimal pH.** If the pH is too high or too low, the enzyme may the not work as well, or it could even stop working completely. ## TESTING pH LEVELS IN FOOD To ensure enzymes work in food production or digestion, we need to test the pH levels of food to see if it's acidic, neutral, or basic. ## The pH scale: Measuring Acid and Basic pH ranges form 0 to 14. * pH < 7: Acidic * pH = 7: Neutral * pH > 7: Basic ## Properties of Acid * Sour taste * Turn blue litmus paper red * Reacts with metal ## Properties of Basic * Bitter taste * Feel slippery and soapy * Turn red litmus paper blue * Known as Alkaline ## pH SCALE The image is a visual representation of the pH scale with the following: * 0 - 14 - numbers on the bottom * STRONG ACID - under 0-3 * WEAK ACID - under 3-6 * NEUTRAL - under 7 * WEAK BASE - under 8-11 * STRONG BASE - under 12-14