Question

Question:How do lipases access their substrates?

Short answer

Answer

The hydrophobic active site in the lipase enzyme interacts with the substrate, allowing lipase to break down the substrate.

Step-by-step solution

Lipase

Lipase is an enzyme that breaks the fats or triglycerides in food into glycerol and fatty acid. It helps the body to absorb fats and also has an important role in lipid transport. This enzyme is one of the pancreatic secretions.

Substrtes of lipases

The substrates for lipase enzymes are lipids of fats that are hydrophobic molecules. These molecules cannot interact with the hydrophilic active sites

Lipase access to the substrate

Lipases bind to the substrates that are hydrophobic lipids through the hydrophobic active site. The active site can diffuse the substrate molecule into its surface and can undergo catalysis. The shape of the substrate can fix the correct keyhole (active site) of the enzyme. The enzyme molecule can change its shape to accommodate the substrate and so interaction will be possible.