Human Digestive System

• The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream
• Digestion involves mechanical breakdown (chewing) and chemical breakdown (enzymes)
• Chemical breakdown occurs through enzymatic reactions catalyzed by enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and proteases.
• Mechanical breakdown occurs when food is chewed, mixed with saliva, and ground up by teeth.
• Chemical breakdown occurs through enzymatic reactions catalyzed by enzymes such as amylase, proteases, lipases, and nucleases.
• Enzyme activity requires an optimum pH range to function effectively.
• Enzyme function is affected by: pH, temperature, concentration, substrate concentration, and enzyme concentration