Question

Suppose you could selectively prevent production of a-amylase or oligo-1,6-glucosidase in an organism that normally hydrolyzes starch. which enzyme would the organism miss the most

Answer 1

The enzyme the organism will miss most is ALPHA AMYLASE.
This is because, alpha amylase is the enzyme that is responsible for hydrolyzing alpha bond of starch in order to break it down to maltose. Oligo 1,6 glucosidase on the other hand is only able to hydrolyses alpha 1,6 glucosidic bond, which is just a step in the conversion of a polysacharride to smaller sugars.

Answer 2

The correct answer would be alpha amylase.

Alpha enzyme is an enzyme that catalyzes the break down of alpha linkage present in polysaccharides such as starch, glycogen et cetera.

The help in breaking down complex polysaccharides into simpler units which can be easily absorbed by the body.

For example, alpha amylase is present in the form of salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase in humans. They breakdown the starch into smaller units such as maltose and dextrin.

In contrast, oligo-1,6-glucosidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of alpha 1-6 linkage in some oligsaccharides.

Thus, the organism would miss alpha amylase more as compared to oligo-1,6-glucosidase.