digestive system and enzymes Flashcards
tissue
a group of specialised cells working together
organs
collections of tissue often containing several tissues each
all of them have adaptations
pancreas
an organ that makes hormones to control blood sugar and some of the enzymes that digest food
organ systems
a multicellular organism has multiple working together.
the human digestive system
between 6 and 9m long
exchanges substances with the environment
insoluble molecules
in the food we take in.
the body cannot absorb these so they need to be broken down / digested to form soluble molecules
soluble molecules
can be taken in and used by your cells
they are broken down into your blood in the small intestine
enzymes
break down food and speed up reactions
(the substrate fits into the active site and they react rapidly. products are released afterwards)
without them bodily reactions would not be fast enough to keep you alive
temperature and enzyme action
temp up = rate up
enzymes usually denature past 40° (shape of the active site changes)
some can survive in higher temperatures such as bacteria in hot springs
deep sea creatures’ enzymes can work at 0° or below
a change in pH causes enzymes to stop working because…
they interfere with the forces that hold together the shape of the active site (they hold the amino acid chains together)
digestive enzymes work…
while most enzymes work inside bodily cells, digestive enzymes work OUTSIDE.
where are digestive enzymes produced?
by specialised cells in glands and in the lining of the digestive system
digestive system adaptations
- large surface area for enzymes to work on
- mixes food and digestive juices so the enzymes come into contact with as much food as possible
- has different pH levels
carbohydrase
enzymes that break down carbohydrates
amylase
starch -> sugars
produced in the
salivary glands and pancreas
starch starts digestion in the mouth
