Immobilised Enzymes Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards related to the topic of immobilised enzymes.

Immobilised Enzyme

Enzymes stuck onto something to stop them moving around.

Alginate gel

A type of gel used to immobilize enzymes.

Immobilised

Enzymes bound to an inert material, over which the substrate molecule moves.

Reagent Stick

A urine dipstick with immobilised enzymes attached to test for various substances.

Lactose

Disaccharide sugar found in milk.

Lactase

Enzyme found in the small intestine that breaks down lactose to simple sugars glucose and galactose.

Lactose intolerance

Condition where you can’t produce the enzyme lactase, so bacteria in the gut ferment lactose which produces diarrhoea and wind.

Type 1 Diabetes

A condition where the body does not make enough insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels.

Insulin

A hormone that allows cells to absorb glucose from the blood.

Glucose Oxidase

Enzyme that binds to glucose, causing a color change depending on the concentration of glucose.

Glucose Biosensor

Device that turns a chemical signal into an electrical signal to monitor concentrations of molecules.

Advantage of Immobilised Enzymes

Enzymes have greater stability at higher temperatures and pHs, and can be easily recovered and reused.

Disadvantage of Immobilised Enzymes

Shape of the active site might be changed when immobilised, the cost of development is very high, and the enzyme can become detached.