Enzymes/ digestion

• Digestive enzymes


  Enzymes produced by cells and then released into the gut to mix with food
• Digestive enzymes break down big molecules

  1. Break down starch, proteins and fats into smaller molecules like glucose, 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


  Enzymes that convert carbohydrates into simple sugars
• Carbohydrases


  • Amylase
• Amylase


  Enzyme that breaks down starch
• Breakdown of starch


  1. Starch

  2. Amylase enzyme

  3. Maltose and other simple sugars
• Places amylase is made

  • Salivary glands
  • Pancreas
  • Small intestine
• Proteases


  Enzymes that convert proteins into amino acids
• Breakdown of proteins


  1. Proteins

  2. Protease enzyme

  3. Amino acids
• Places proteases are made

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


  Enzymes that convert lipids into glycerol and fatty acids
• Breakdown of lipids


  1. Lipid

  2. Lipase enzyme

  3. 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
• Bile


  • Produced in the liver, stored in the gall bladder, released into the small intestine
  • Neutralises stomach acid and emulsifies fats
• Bile makes the conditions in the small intestine alkaline, which is optimal for the enzymes to work
• Bile emulsifies fats, increasing the surface area for lipase to work on and speeding up fat digestion