What Are Enzymes?

• Enzymes are proteins – Like other proteins, enzymes consist of long chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds. they are present in all living cells, where they perform a vital function by controlling the metabolic processes whereby nutrients are converted into energy and fresh cell material. Furthermore, enzymes take part in the breakdown of food materials into simpler compounds. Some of the best know enzymes are those found in the digestive tract where pepsin, trypsin and peptides break down proteins into amino acids, lipase split fats into glycerol and fatty acids, and amylase break down starch into simple sugars.