Question

What are exoenzymes?

Answer 1

Enzymes are substances that act as a catalyst in living organisms. It regulates the rate at which chemical reactions occur without itself being altered in the process. Enzymes are made up of linear chains of amino acids. The sequence of amino acids identifies the type of catalytic activity possessed by the enzyme. There are two types of enzymes- Exoenzyme and Endoenzyme.

Complete answer:
Exoenzyme also known as extracellular enzyme, is secreted by a cell and functions outside that cell. They are produced by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and are a component of many biological processes.
In eukaryotic cells, exoenzymes are produced via protein synthesis and transported through the secretory pathway. After moving through the endoplasmic reticulum, they are processed in the Golgi apparatus, where they are packed in vesicles and released out of the cell.
Exoenzymes enzymes are mainly involved in the breakdown of larger macromolecules. This process is crucial in prokaryotes because prokaryotic cells cannot uptake larger molecules. In humans and other complex organisms, exoenzymes help in digestion by breaking down the solid food. The small molecules generated by the exoenzyme activity are taken up by the cells and are utilized for various cellular functions.
Some pathogenic species use exoenzymes as virulence factors to assist in the spread of disease causing microorganisms. Exoenzymes are also used in food production, biofuels, textile production and in the paper industry.

Note:
Some of the exoenzymes produced by the living organisms are amylase, lipoprotein lipase, pectinase, pepsin and trypsin. Exoenzymes have major applications in the biotechnology sector. They are also used in the bioremediation process in which pollutants or contaminants in the environment are removed with the help of biological organisms and their products.