The enzyme amylase in human saliva breaks down starch polymers into smaller sugar units. however, it cannot break down cellulose polymers. both are made of glucose monomers, but in cellulose the monomers are linked together in a different shape than in starch. why can't amylase digest cellulose

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Michaela

Biology

13 March, 02:17

The enzyme amylase in human saliva breaks down starch polymers into smaller sugar units. however, it cannot break down cellulose polymers. both are made of glucose monomers, but in cellulose the monomers are linked together in a different shape than in starch. why can't amylase digest cellulose

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Watson · Answer 1

Because it says that "in cellulose the monomers are linked together in a different shape" maybe it has to do with how the cellulose doesn't fit into the active site of enzyme amylase as it has different shape that starch