Enzymes: Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts for chemical reactions. They speed up the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process. Stone Age humans had no knowledge of enzymes, but they did know how to use them to their advantage. By chewing food, they released enzymes that began to break down the carbohydrates in plants into glucose.
Fermentation: Fermentation is a process in which microorganisms convert glucose into other compounds, such as alcohol or lactic acid. Stone Age humans used fermentation to preserve food and to make alcoholic beverages. By fermenting plants, they were able to break down the starch into glucose and then convert the glucose into other compounds that were easier to digest and store.
Boiling: Boiling is a process of heating water to a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit). When water boils, it creates steam, which can be used to cook food. Stone Age humans used boiling to cook plants, which made them easier to digest and helped to break down the starch into glucose.
Fire: Fire was essential for Stone Age humans. They used fire to cook food, which helped to break down the starch into glucose and made the food easier to digest. They also used fire to heat water for boiling and to create steam, which could be used to cook food and to extract glucose from plants.
The ability to unlock the glucose in plants was essential for the survival of Stone Age humans. It allowed them to obtain the energy they needed to survive from a variety of plant sources. They also used the glucose in plants to make alcoholic beverages and to preserve food.
