digestive enzymes Flashcards
what are digestive enzymes
Chemicals that speed up the chemical reactions in your digestive system so complex food can be effectively broken into simple substances that can be absorbed into your body
what is another name for enzymes?
Enzymes are a type of chemical called a catalyst
what do catalysts do?
Catalysts speed up chemical reactions, but they aren’t used up so they can perform over and over again
what does the digestive system do
Your body cannot absorb complex substances, which is why the digestive system breaks it down. The digestive system breaks down complex substances into simpler substances
what happens once it is broken down?
Once broken down, the simple substances are able to be reconstructed into proteins, and fats, and carbs for yourself.
proteins
They are a complex substance in food, and the enzyme is called protease. It is broken down into the simpler substance, amino acids. Protease is found in your stomach
fats and oils (lipids)
They are a complex substance in food, and the enzyme is called lipase. It is broken down into the simpler substance, called fatty acids and glycerol. Lipase is produced by your pancreas, mouth and stomach
complex sugars and starch (carbohydrates)
They are a complex substance in food, and the enzyme is called amylase. It is broken down into the simpler substance, called glucose. Amylase is found in your saliva