Question

Short Answer

As we have been learning during the semester all microorganism are unique and may have the ability to increase its pathogenicity dependent on the environment. This week we were introduced to hydrolytic enzymes, list two enzymes (enzymatic activity of Casease, enzymatic activity of Gelatinase) and their function. Using your critical thinking, explain why it is of importance to identify microorganism that have hydrolytic abilities.

The two anzymes is (enzymatic activity of Casease, enzymatic activity of Gelatinase)

Answer 1

Answer 1. Enzyme activity of Casease :-

Casease is an exoenzyme, that helps in hydrolysing casein. Casease when produced in organisms, breaks down the casein(protein of mammalian milk) into polypeptides, peptides and further to amino acids for its ease to cross the cell membrane for further use.

Answer 2. Enzyme activity of Gelatinase :-

It is a proteolytic enzyme that helps in hydrolysation of gelatin. Gelatin is a flavourless ingredient of food which is derived from collagen and is used to give gummy texture to food. This gelatin is crushed down into polypeptides, peptides and amino acids, for the ease to enter the cell membrane for further use.

Answer 3. Hydrolytic reactions are those in which the water molecules are used to break one or more chemical bonds. This hydrolytic ability is found in the microorganisms. It helps the microorganisms in digestion or by breaking complex proteins, carbs, etc into their simpler forms so as to cross the cell membrane for further energy processing.