Enzymes and digestion

• What are the enzymes used in digestion produced by?


  They are produced by cells.
• What is the role of digestive enzymes in the gut?


  They break down big molecules into smaller ones.
• What are the big molecules that digestive enzymes break down?


  • Starch
  • Proteins
  • Fats
• What smaller molecules are produced from the breakdown of starch, proteins, and fats?


  They are converted into sugars, amino acids, glycerol, and fatty acids.
• What is an example of a carbohydrase?


  Amylase.
• Where is amylase produced?


  In the salivary glands, pancreas, and small intestine.
• What do proteases convert proteins into?


  Amino acids.
• Where are proteases produced?


  In the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine.
• What do lipases convert lipids into?


  Glycerol and fatty acids.
• Where are lipases produced?


  In the pancreas and small intestine.
• How does the body utilize the products of digestion?


  • Used to make new carbohydrates
  • Used to make new proteins
  • Used to make new lipids
  • Some glucose is used in respiration
• Where is bile produced?


  In the liver.
• What is the function of bile in digestion?


  It neutralises stomach acid and emulsifies fats.
• Why is bile alkaline?


  To neutralise the acidic stomach contents for enzyme activity.
• What does emulsifying fats do for digestion?


  It increases the surface area for lipase to work on.
• What are the main components of the digestive system and their functions?

  • Salivary glands: Produce amylase enzyme
  • Stomach: Pumps food, produces pepsin, and hydrochloric acid
  • Liver: Produces bile
  • Gall bladder: Stores bile
  • Pancreas: Produces protease, amylase, and lipase
  • Small intestine: Completes digestion and absorbs nutrients
  • Large intestine: Absorbs excess water
  • Rectum: Stores faeces
• What is the function of the stomach in digestion?


  It pumps food and produces protease enzyme, pepsin.
• What is the pH level of the stomach for pepsin to work effectively?


  pH 2, which is acidic.
• What is the role of the gall bladder?


  It stores bile before it's released into the small intestine.
• What happens in the small intestine?


  It produces enzymes and absorbs digested food into the blood.
• How does the digestive system function as a whole?


  It is a continuous tube that processes food, digestive juices, and enzymes.