Digestive Enzymes

• What is the primary function of enzymes in the digestive system?

  To catalyze chemical reactions and speed them up
• What is the structure of enzymes and their active site?

  Enzymes have a groove called the active site where substrates attach.
• What is the role of the substrate in enzyme activity?

  The substrate is the molecule that enzymes break down.
• What does the lock and key theory explain about enzymes?

  It explains that enzymes are specific to their substrates, fitting like a lock and key.
• What are the types of enzymes involved in protein digestion?

  • Proteases
  • Found in the stomach and pancreatic fluid
• What happens to proteins during digestion?

  Proteins are broken down into amino acids by protease enzymes.
• What are carbohydrates broken down by in the digestive system?

  • Carbohydrases
  • Specific enzyme for starch is amylase
• What is the structure of starch?

  Starch is a chain of glucose molecules.
• Where is amylase found in the body?

  In saliva and pancreatic fluid
• What is the structure of lipid molecules?

  • Consists of glycerol
  • Attached to three fatty acids
• What enzyme is responsible for lipid digestion?

  Lipase is responsible for lipid digestion.
• What are the products of lipid digestion?

  Glycerol and fatty acids
• What is the role of bile in lipid digestion?

  • Speeds up digestion of lipids
  • Not an enzyme
  • Emulsifies large lipid droplets into smaller droplets
• Where is bile produced and stored?

  Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
• How does bile affect the surface area of lipid droplets?

  Bile increases the surface area of lipid droplets by emulsifying them.
• What is the effect of bile's alkalinity on digestion?

  Bile neutralizes stomach acids, creating alkaline conditions that increase lipid digestion.