The effect of temperature on breaking down starch due to amylase

Aim

The aim of my experiment is to investigate the effect of temperature on breaking down starch due to amylase.


Background Info

Amylase is an enzyme. It is found in the human body, in the pancreas and the small intestine.
Amylase breaks down starch into maltose and other simple sugars. This takes place in the salivary glands and starts the process of digestion and also occurs in the small intestine.


Enzymes are: very potent biological catalysts, proteins, made by living cells, sensitive to changes in ph and temperature.
They control metabolism.


Effect of ph on enzymes:
• Enzyme activity is greatest at the optimum ph for that particular enzyme.
• Strong acid/alkali denatures (destroys) most enzymes

Effect of temperature on enzymes:
• Activity of most enzymes increases with temperature, reaching an optimum then decreasing.
• Extreme heat denatures most enzymes.

Effect of concentration on enzymes:
• If the concentration of a...