Digestion and absorption

• During digestion, a series of enzymes will hydrolyse large insoluble molecules (e.g proteins) into smaller soluble ones (e.g amino acids), which can then be absorbed into the blood to be transported around the body and used
• Ileum - A long muscular tube where food is further digested.

  • Enzymes are produced by its walls and by glands that pour their secretions into it
  • Inner walls are folded into villi which gives them a large surface area
  • Where products of digestion are absorbed into the bloodstream
• Enzymes are substrate specific, meaning different enzymes digest and breakdown the different biological molecules contained in food
• There are three main types of digestive enzymes:

  • Carbohydrases
  • Lipases
  • Proteases