Enzymes are special proteinsImagine your body as a bustling construction site, where every structure is meticulously built and maintained. Proteins are the versatile workers that make it all happen. They’re not just one thing but an entire workforce, each with a specialized role. Some proteins build and repair tissues; others act as enzymes… Read More that speed up chemical reactions in your body. They’re like tiny helpers that get important jobs done quickly and efficiently.

Examples:

• Digestive enzymes: These break down food into smaller parts your body can absorbAbsorption refers to the process of how your body takes in nutrients from the food you eat. Imagine it like a gateway that allows the broken-down bits of your food to pass from your digestive system into your bloodstream, where they can be delivered to your cells for energy. •… Read More. (Example: Amylase helps break down starchesImagine tiny packets of sugar stashed away in a plant. Starch is exactly that! It’s a complex carbohydrate molecule that plants use to store energy for later use. It’s like nature’s built-in pantry, providing a slow and steady source of energy when needed. While not directly involved in human metabolism… Read More.)
• Lactase: This enzyme helps you digest lactoseLactose is a type of sugar naturally found in milk and dairy products. It’s sometimes called “milk sugar.” Examples of foods with lactose: • Milk (cow, goat, sheep) • Yogurt • Cheese • Ice cream • Some baked goods and processed foods Etymology: The Word “Lactose” The word “lactose” has… Read More, a sugarSugar is a substance represented as a simple carbohydrate (a basic type of molecule made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) that serves as a vital component throughout the body. It is the primary source of energy for most cells, acting like the body’s main fuel. Every part of the body,… Read More found in milk.
• Enzymes in your DNADNA, short for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is like the secret instruction manual inside every living cell. It contains all the genetic information needed to build and maintain an organism, including humans! Imagine DNA as a complex cookbook with recipes for all the different parts that make you, you. • Synonyms: Well-documented synonyms… Read More: They help with repairing damage and copying your genes when you make new cellsThe cell is the basic building block of the human body, a tiny, microscopic (too small to see without a magnifying tool like a microscope) unit that works together with billions of other cells to form every part of the body, from the skin to the heart. Each cell is… Read More.

EtymologyEtymology is the study of the origin and history of words. It’s like detective work, tracing how words have changed over time and moved between languages. Think of it like this: • Words have a long history, just like old family stories. • Etymology digs into those stories to see… Read More: The Word “Enzyme”

The word “enzyme” comes from Greek:

• “en,” meaning “within.”
• “zyme,” meaning “yeast.”

This is because some of the first enzymes studied were involved in the fermentation“Ferment” describes a process where microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, or mold break down organic substances (often carbohydrates) in the absence of oxygen. This breakdown creates a variety of products, including acids, gases (like the bubbles you see in some fermented foods), and sometimes even alcohol. While fermentation isn’t directly involved… Read More process used by yeast to make things like bread and beer.