A group of cells with a similar structure and function
Organ
A group of tissues working together for a specific function
Organ system
Organs grouped together to form organisms
Main nutrients in food
Carbohydrates
Protein
Lipids (fats)
Digestion
1. Large food molecules broken down into small molecules by enzymes
2. Small molecules absorbed into bloodstream
Main organs of the digestive system
Mouth
Esophagus
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine
Liver
Pancreas
Mouth
Food chewed, enzymes in saliva begin to digest starch
Esophagus
Food passes down into stomach
Stomach
Enzymes begin digestion of proteins, contains hydrochloric acid, churning action turns food into fluid
Small intestine
Chemicals released from liver and pancreas continue digestion of starch, protein and lipids
Small food molecules produced by digestion are absorbed into bloodstream
Large intestine
Water absorbed into bloodstream, feces released from body
Products of digestion used by body to build new carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
Some glucose produced is used in respiration
Enzymes
Catalyze chemical reactions, speed them up
Enzymes
Large protein molecules
Have a groove on their surface called the active site
The active site is where the substrate attaches
Substrate
The molecule that the enzyme breaks down
Substrate fits into active site
Enzyme can break down substrate
Substrate does not fit into active site
Enzyme cannot break down substrate
Lock and key theory
Enzymes are specific, the substrate must fit perfectly into the active site
Protein digestion
Proteases break down proteins into amino acids
Proteases
Found in stomach, pancreatic fluid, small intestine
Proteins
Long chains of amino acids
Starch digestion
Amylase breaks down starch into simple sugars
Amylase
Found in saliva, pancreatic fluid
Starch
Chain of glucose molecules
Lipid digestion
Lipase breaks down lipids into glycerol and fatty acids
Lipase
Found in pancreatic fluid, small intestine
Lipids
Molecule of glycerol attached to three fatty acids
Bile
Made in liver, stored in gallbladder
Not an enzyme
Emulsifies lipids to increase surface area for lipase
Alkaline to neutralize stomach acid
Enzyme
Speeds up chemical reactions by having a groove on their surface called the active site
Substrate
The molecule that the enzyme reacts with, fits perfectly into the active site
Lock and key theory
The substrate must fit perfectly into the active site
Effect of temperature on enzyme activity
1. Gradually increase temperature
2. Measure enzyme activity (rate of reaction)
3. Activity increases as temperature increases
4. Reach optimum temperature
5. Activity rapidly decreases past optimum temperature
Optimum temperature
The temperature at which the enzyme is working at the fastest possible rate, maximum frequency of successful collisions between substrate and active site
Denaturation
At high temperatures, the enzyme molecule vibrates and the shape of the active site changes, so the substrate no longer fits perfectly
Effect of pH on enzyme activity
1. Alter pH
2. Measure enzyme activity (rate of reaction)
3. Enzyme has an optimum pH where activity is maximum
4. Activity drops to zero if pH is too acidic or too alkaline
Optimum pH
The pH at which the enzyme works best
Enzymes with different optimum pH
Protease enzyme in stomach (acidic pH)
Lipase enzyme from pancreas (alkaline pH)
Carrying out chemical tests for carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
1. Grind food sample with distilled water using mortar and pestle to make a paste
2. Transfer paste to beaker and add more distilled water
3. Stir to dissolve chemicals
4. Filter solution to remove suspended food particles