Enzymes and Digestion

• What are the big molecules that digestive enzymes break down?

  Starch, proteins, and fats
• Why can't big molecules pass through the walls of the digestive system?

  They are too big and insoluble
• What are the smaller molecules that can pass through the walls of the digestive system?

  Sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids
• What is the role of digestive enzymes in digestion?

  They break down big molecules into smaller ones
• What is the function of bile in digestion?

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

  Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder
• Why is bile alkaline?

  To neutralize the acidic pH from the stomach
• How does bile help lipase in fat digestion?

  It emulsifies fats into tiny droplets, increasing surface area
• What is peristalsis?

  A series of circular muscle contractions that move food through the gut
• What is the role of muscular tissue in the alimentary canal?

  To squeeze boluses of food through the gut
• What are boluses?


  Balls of food that are moved through the gut
• What are the main functions of bile in digestion?

  • Neutralizes stomach acid
  • Emulsifies fats for easier digestion
  • Provides alkaline conditions for enzyme activity
• Which enzymes digest which food molecules?

  • Amylase: starch into maltose
  • Maltase: maltose into glucose
  • Proteases: proteins into amino acids
  • Lipases: lipids into glycerol and fatty acids
• How does peristalsis function in the digestive system?

  • Muscular contractions squeeze food through the alimentary canal
  • Prevents clogging of the digestive system
  • Ensures efficient movement of food
• What enzyme converts starch into __ ?


  amylase converts starch into maltose
• What enzyme converts maltose into __?


  maltase converts maltose into glucose
• what enzymes convert proteins into __?


  protease converts proteins into amino acids
• what enzymes convert lipids into __?


  lipases convert lipids into fatty acids and glycerol