Enzymes

• Enzymes


  Substances produced by cells and then released into the gut to mix with food
• Digestion


  1. Digestive enzymes break down big molecules

  2. Carbohydrases convert carbohydrates into simple sugars

  3. Proteases convert proteins into amino acids

  4. Lipases convert lipids into glycerol and fatty acids
• Carbohydrates


  Big molecules that need to be broken down into smaller, soluble molecules like sugars to be absorbed
• Proteins


  Big molecules that need to be broken down into amino acids to be absorbed
• Lipids


  Big molecules that need to be broken down into glycerol and fatty acids to be absorbed
• Carbohydrases


  • Amylase
• Proteases


  • Pepsin, enzymes in the pancreas and small intestine
• Lipases


  • Enzymes in the pancreas and small intestine
• Bile


  1. Neutralises stomach acid

  2. Emulsifies fats
• Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder before being released into the small intestine
• Hydrochloric acid in the stomach makes the pH too acidic for enzymes in the small intestine to work properly
• Bile is alkaline and neutralises the acid, making conditions alkaline for the enzymes in the small intestine to work best
• Bile emulsifies fats, breaking them into tiny droplets to increase the surface area for the enzyme lipase to work on
• The body makes good use of the products of digestion, using them to make new carbohydrates and lipids. Some of the glucose is used in respiration.