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Why does each different type of lipase act on only one specific type of lipid molecul

Why does each different type of lipase act on only one specific type of lipid molecule?
shape of the active site is complementary to a specific lipid. In terms of triglycerides, the fatty acids can be different lengths as well as saturated or unsaturated, so there are lots of different shapes they can be, meaning they won't all fit one enzyme
Original post by Aha Aha
Why does each different type of lipase act on only one specific type of lipid molecule?


It is the key and lock model: the active site of the enzyme lipase matches to a certain shape of a lipid molecule. In other words: specific lipid molecule and the lipase are complementary to each other. That is why not all types pf lipase work on all sorts of lipid molecules.
there are many types of lipids, like triglycerides and sterols, which all have different shaped substrates. This means that different types of lipase enzymes are needed to catalyse their breakdowns, as the shape of the molecules substrate must be specific and complementary to the active site of the lipase enzyme in order to fit in.

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