Which enzyme would be specific for a peptide bond?

Which enzyme would be specific for a peptide bond?

• A. Amylase
• B. Cellulase
• C. Peptidase
• D. Lipase

Answer: (C)

Bond-specific hydrolysis is being tested here—the peptide bond that links amino acids in a protein. An enzyme that cleaves that specific bond is a peptidase, also known as a protease. It works by hydrolyzing the amide bond between adjacent amino acids, breaking proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids. The other enzymes target different types of bonds: amylase breaks glycosidic bonds in starch (carbohydrates); cellulase cleaves cellulose’s glycosidic bonds; lipase hydrolyzes ester bonds in fats. So the best choice for a peptide-bond–specific enzyme is peptidase.

Bond-specific hydrolysis is being tested here—the peptide bond that links amino acids in a protein. An enzyme that cleaves that specific bond is a peptidase, also known as a protease. It works by hydrolyzing the amide bond between adjacent amino acids, breaking proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids. The other enzymes target different types of bonds: amylase breaks glycosidic bonds in starch (carbohydrates); cellulase cleaves cellulose’s glycosidic bonds; lipase hydrolyzes ester bonds in fats. So the best choice for a peptide-bond–specific enzyme is peptidase.