B3.7 Making digestion efficient Flashcards
What is pepsin?
A protease enzyme that works best in an acidic pH
Why does the stomach produce HCL?
To kill bacteria and allow the protease enzyme to work optimally
Why does your stomach produce a thick wall of mucus?
Coats your stomach walls and protects them from being digested by the enzymes or the acid.
Where is bile made?
In the liver
What is the purpose of bile?
To neutralise the acid that was added to the stomach - provides alkaline conditions necessary for the enzymes in the small intestine to work most effectively
Where is your bile stored?
In the gullbladder
What is the second purpose of bile?- to do with fats
Emulsifies the fats in your food - breaks the food up into smaller droplets - increase bigger surface area of fats for lipase enzymes to act upon
What are the problems with gall stones?
Can block the gall bladder and bile ducts
What conditions do proteas enzymes work best at?
Acidic conditions
