Question

A biochemist is attempting to replicate a chemical reaction that commonly takes place in cells. During the chemical reaction, starch is broken down into glucose. What will most likely happen if the biochemist adds an enzyme to the reactants?

Answer 1

Addition of an enzyme, for example amylase will increase the rate at which the starch is broken down into glucose. Amylase functions by rupturing the disaccharide bonds between glucose molecules releasing these into solution. If iodine had been added as an indicator of the presense of starch, the color will fade from brown to very light in a short time.