THE 3-D STRUCTURE OF LYSOZYME

The drawing below shows the three-dimensional representation of the structure of a

molecule of lysozyme, an enzyme found in saliva and tears, as well as in some other
human body fluids. Lysozyme helps in the breakdown of bacterial cells.














QUESTIONS
1. To what class of chemical compounds does lysozyme belong?
The chemical compound Iysozyme belongs to is protein.
2. What are the sub-units (monomers) of which enzymes such as lysozyme, and
other proteins are composed?
The sub-units that they are composed are of amino acids.

3. Explain the significance and role of the region labelled 'Active site cleft'.
The active site is flexible, so when a substrate enters it, the enzyme molecule can
change shape to be able to fit around the substrate.
4. Why do you think lysozyme is found in saliva and tears?
It is found in saliva and tears because is a defence mechanism that stops any
harmful things coming into your eyes by breaking up the cellular walls.
5. ANALYSIS AND REASONING QUESTION: When the yellow bacterium Micrococcus
luteus comes into contact with lysozyme, the bacterial cell wall is broken open
and loses its yellow colour. Explain how this property could enable you to find
out which of saliva or tears contains the higher concentration of lysozyme.
To be able to find between saliva or tears containing more isozyme would depend
on how much both of them break the bacterial wall, to loose its yellow colour.

6. Explain why enzymes can be effective in very small amounts.
Enzymes can be affective in small amounts, for the reason that because enzymes
cant be used up or destroyed when they react, they can be reused so they are not
needed in large quantities.
TOTAL 16