Digestion

• What is the primary function of digestive enzymes?


  To break big molecules down into smaller, soluble ones
• How do smaller molecules produced by digestion enter the bloodstream?


  They pass through the walls of the digestive system
• What are the three types of enzymes involved in digestion and their functions?

  • Amylase: breaks down starch into maltose and other sugars; produced in salivary glands, small intestine, pancreas.
  • Protease: breaks down protein into amino acids; produced in stomach, small intestine, pancreas.
  • Lipase: breaks down lipid into glycerol and fatty acids; produced in small intestine, pancreas.
• What are the products of digestion used for?


  To make new carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids
• How does bile aid in digestion?


  • Makes conditions alkaline for better enzyme function in the small intestine.
  • Emulsifies fat to increase surface area for lipase action.
• Where is bile produced and stored?


  Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder
• What is the significance of bile making conditions alkaline in the small intestine?


  It allows enzymes to work more effectively
• Why is emulsification of fat important for digestion?


  It increases the surface area for lipase to work on
• What are enzymes used for in digestion?


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


  • Starch
  • Proteins
  • Fats
• Why are digestive enzymes important for digestion?


  They break down large molecules into smaller, absorbable ones.
• What smaller molecules do digestive enzymes produce from starch?


  Glucose and maltose.
• What are the water-soluble molecules produced by digestive enzymes?


  Sugars, amino acids, glycerol, and fatty acids.
• What is the role of carbohydrases in digestion?


  They convert carbohydrates into simple sugars.
• What is an example of a carbohydrate enzyme?

  Amylase.
• Where is amylase produced?


  In the salivary glands, pancreas, and small intestine.
• What do proteases do in digestion?


  • Convert proteins into amino acids.
  • Produced in the stomach (as pepsin), 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, proteins, and lipids.
  • Some glucose is used in respiration.
• What is the function of bile in digestion?


  It neutralizes stomach acid and emulsifies fats.
• Where is bile produced and stored?


  Produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder.
• Why is bile alkaline?


  To neutralize the acidic pH from the stomach.
• What conditions do enzymes in the small intestine work best in?


  Alkaline conditions.
• What is the process of emulsification by bile?


  • Bile breaks fat into tiny droplets.
  • Increases surface area for lipase action.
  • Speeds up fat digestion.
• What is the role of enzymes in the digestive system?


  They catalyse the breakdown of food.
• What is the source of enzymes used in the digestive system?


  • Produced by specialised cells
  • Located in glands and gut lining
• What enzyme is produced by the salivary glands?

  Amylase
• What is the function of bile produced by the liver?


  It neutralises stomach acid and emulsifies fats.
• Why does the stomach produce hydrochloric acid?


  To kill bacteria and provide the right pH for pepsin to work.
• What is the pH level of the stomach for enzyme activity?


  pH 2 – acidic
• What is the function of the gall bladder?


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


  Excess water is absorbed from the food.
• What enzymes does the pancreas produce?


  Protease, amylase, and lipase.
• What occurs in the small intestine regarding digestion?


  • Produces protease, amylase, and lipase enzymes
  • Completes digestion
  • Absorbs digested food into the blood
• What is stored in the rectum before excretion?


  Faeces, made up mainly of indigestible food.
• How does faeces exit the body?


  Through the anus.
• What is the first part of the digestive system mentioned?

  Mouth
• What is the primary function of the mouth in digestion?


  To break down food physically by chewing
• What substance is released from the salivary glands in the mouth?


  Saliva