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Biology 22 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

Enzymes can break down any biological material?

OpenStudy (lanre):

Yes. It can break down any form of biological materials into pieces.

OpenStudy (blues):

I am not so convinced. Each specific enzyme can break down (or make) one single specific material. Or at best, a narrow range of materials with the correct molecular structure for it to bind and then break down. The question is whether there exists enzymes which can break down every biology material. For example, I know of no enzyme which can break down bone...

OpenStudy (anonymous):

I thought i remembered one which is involved in breaking down bones, didn't remember which subgroup. I managed to find it though: cathepsin K Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathepsin_K

OpenStudy (blues):

That is very interesting about cathepsin K. I had in mind the bony matrix itself, not proteins therein, although one could argue that the matrix itself is made of inorganic ions and is therefore not biologic material.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Thank you for the answers :D

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