Jos Antonio Duran

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?

Lysozymes belong to the enzyme chemical class. (1)

2. What are the sub-units (monomers) of which enzymes such as lysozyme, and
other proteins are composed?

Enzymes and lysozymes are composed of a sub-unit called amino acids. (1)

3. Explain the significance and role of the region labelled 'Active site cleft'.

The active site cleft is where chemical reactions occur. Chemicals fit inside the
active site cleft and chemical reactions can occur. (4)

Jos Antonio Duran



4. Why do you think lysozyme is found in saliva and tears?

Lysozyme is found in saliva and tears because they are made in the same glands
(3)

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. (5)

When the yellow bacterium comes into contact with lysozyme, the bacterial cell
wall opens up and loses its yellow colour; this means that the substance with a
higher amount of lysozyme would appear more coloured. This would mean that
saliva has a higher concentration of lysozyme.


6. Explain why enzymes can be effective in very small amounts. (2)

Enzymes are effective in small amounts because they are no destroyed by the reaction
they cause.
TOTAL 16