Biology: Hydrolysis of Lipids Using an Enzyme Called ‘Lipase’

Hydrolysis of Lipids Using an Enzyme Called ‘Lipase’

Research and Rationale

Enzymes

Enzymes are made up of proteins that are available in every cell of a living plant and animal [9] .Enzymes are very important for biochemical reactions. They act as catalysts and speed up biochemical reactions by using ‘an alternative reaction pathway of lower activation energy’ [5].Enzymes either starts a chemical reaction or allows it to occur faster [9]. Enzymes do not experience enduring changes therefore; remain unchanged at the end of the reaction [9]. Enzymes are very selective, they catalyse specific reactions. Their specificity depends on the shape of the enzyme. Enzymes consist of globular proteins and non-proteins [5].

In a reaction, two molecules must collide in the correct direction with adequate energy. This means that there should be enough energy in the reaction to allow the molecules to overcome the activation energy [5]. Activation energy (Ea) is the minimum energy that is needed in a reaction to trigger the molecules to a condition in which they can carry out a chemical reaction [6].

All Enzymes have an active site; this is the part of the enzyme where molecules with the right shape and functional groups bind to the enzyme [5]. The reacting molecule that binds to the enzyme is called the substrate [5]. Enzymes are known to have substrate specificity.

The route that is taken by an Enzyme when used in a reaction [5]:

There are two theories about enzymes carry out reactions called the ‘Lock and Key theory’ and the ‘Induced fit theory’.

Enzymes’ substarate specificty can be explained using the Lock and Key hypothesis[8]. This theory states that a specific substrate would only fit into an active site of an enzyme[9]. ...

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... the enzyme, as the shape of the lipase may be altered and the lipid molecules may not be able to bind to them and form a reaction. Therefore, I will ensure that the temperature is constant throughout the experiment to gain valid and reliable results with minimal anomalous results

On the other hand, I will manipulate the concentration of lipase being added to the solution. I will change the volume of lipase. I will have 6 different concentrations of lipids as I would carry out 6 different experiments to gather a wide range of data. I would use concentrations such as 0cm3, 2cm3, 3cm3, 4cm3, 5cm3 and 6cm3. I would have a control group where I wouldn’t use lipase to see whether the pH change occurs due lipase or bile salt emulsifying the fat. I would use a control group to allow me to see the changes that occur in lipids between adding lipase and not adding lipase.