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The Soft Machines Module

In our world we rely on machines to perform a myriad of tasks: from building cars and buildings to making our food and drinks. These machines are very structurally sound and made out of metal. They also perform repeatable tasks and jobs faster than any human ever could.

Did you know your body also has machines that perform tasks to keep you alive?

The machines in your body are not made out of metal. They are made from a combination of amino acids structurally situated to perform a specific chemical reaction. These "soft machines" are called proteinsprotein: a polymer of amino acids and enzymesenzyme: a specific protein that is used as a catalyst in biochemical reactions.

Look at the image provided to see the comparison between hard and soft machines. (A.)

In "Soft Machines" you will be studying different aspects of an enzyme called alpha-amylase. Amylases are the main enzymes that depolymerizedepolymerize: the breaking up of a polymer starch for living systems. In this module you will be looking at sugars and starches structurally, understanding the components of an enzyme and how an enzyme is made, studying the kinetics of amylase qualitatively, seeing the effect of temperature, pH, ions, and inhibitors to the enzyme, and looking at different starches and amylases. All these different topics will give a comprehensive view of proteins and enzymes.