enzymes

• Enzymes


  Produced by cells and then released into the gut to mix with food
• Digestive Enzymes Break Down Big Molecules

  1. Break big molecules like proteins and fats into smaller ones like sugars, amino acids, glycerol and fatty acids

  2. Smaller soluble molecules can pass through the walls of the digestive system and be absorbed into the bloodstream
• Carbohydrases


  Convert carbohydrates into simple sugars
• Carbohydrases


  • Amylase
• Amylase breaks down starch

  1. Starch

  2. Amylase enzyme

  3. Maltose
• Places amylase is made

  • Salivary glands
  • Pancreas
  • Small intestine
• Proteases


  Convert proteins into amino acids
• Places proteases are made

  • Stomach (pepsin)
  • Pancreas
  • Small intestine
• Lipases


  Convert lipids into glycerol and fatty acids
• Places lipases are made

  • Pancreas
  • Small intestine
• The body makes good use of the products of digestion to make new carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Some of the glucose is used in respiration.
• Bile


  Neutralises the stomach acid and emulsifies fats
• Bile neutralises the stomach acid

  1. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach makes the pH too acidic for enzymes in the small intestine

  2. Bile is alkaline and neutralises the acid

  3. Makes conditions alkaline for enzymes in the small intestine to work properly
• Bile emulsifies fats


  1. Breaks the fat into tiny droplets

  2. Increases the surface area of fat for the enzyme lipase to work on

  3. Makes fat digestion faster
• Carbohydrases

  A type of enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars
• Enzymes

  Proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body
• Simple sugars

  Also known as monosaccharides, simple sugars are the basic building blocks of carbohydrates. Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
• Carbohydrates

  A type of macromolecule made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Examples include starches, cellulose, and sugars.
• Amylases

  Break down starches into simpler sugars
• Cellulases

  Break down cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls
• Lactases


  Break down lactose, a sugar found in milk, into glucose and galactose
• Maltases


  Break down maltose, a sugar found in grains, into glucose