Essential for helping us break down the large molecules that we eat into the much smaller soluble molecules that we can absorb through our intestinal lining
Main groups of nutrients to be broken down
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Fats
Carbohydrates
Found mainly in foods like pasta, potatoes and rice, used by the body mainly as an energy source
Starch
The main type of carbohydrate, broken down by the enzyme amylase into smaller sugars such as maltose
Amylase
1. Made in the salivary glands of the mouth
2. Made in the pancreas
3. Made in the small intestine
4. Acts to break down starch
Proteins
Found in things like nuts, meats and beans, broken down by protease enzymes into amino acids
Proteases
1. Made in the stomach (called pepsin)
2. Made in the pancreas
3. Made in the small intestine
4. Break down proteins into amino acids
Fats/Lipids
Found in foods like cheese, oils and chocolate, broken down by lipase enzymes into glycerol and fatty acids
Lipases
1. Made in the pancreas
2. Made in the small intestine
3. Break down fats/lipids into glycerol and fatty acids
All digestive enzymes are made by the pancreas and the small intestine, with amylase also being made by the salivary glands and proteases also being made in the stomach
