Ask A Scientist Molecular Biology Archive

name caroline 
status student 
grade 9-12 
location VA 
 
Question - If protease digests proteins into simpler substances,then 
why won't it digest itself, since protease is an enzyme and enzymes are 
made up of proteins? At that, will it digest other enzymes as well? 
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At high concentrations, the protease molecules will hydolyze (digest each 
other), but as the concentration of undigested surviving protease molecules 
decreases, the number of collisions between protease molecules becomes less 
and less frequent so some protease molecules will always survive. 

Ron Baker, Ph.D.
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