Digestive System, bacteria and enzymes Flashcards
digestive system
Organs that break down large molecules into small ones with the help of enzymes
Mouth
- physically breaks down with teeth
- chemically breaks down with saliva
Oesophagus/ gullet
- tube made from muscle
- pushes down food into stomach
Stomach
- acids break down food
- churns food
- pepsin mainly attacks protein here
Small intestine
- absorbs nutrients into bloodstream via lining
- breaks down lipids with bile here
- breaks food down further with enzymes produced by the pancreas
Large intestine
- absorbs water
- clumps fecies
Rectum
- stores fecies until released through anus
- muscle
Adaptions of the small intestines and uses
- thin walls= diffusion
- covered with villi = gives a big surface area and contains capillaries to carry away nutrients
Enzyme
Special proteins that can break down large molecules into small molecules
How are enzymes catalysts
They sped up the process of digestion without being used up
Carbohydrase
Enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into sugars
Protease
Enzyme that breaks down proteins amino acids
Lipase
Enzyme that breaks up lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
Bile
- Help break down lipids in small fat droplets
- Produced in the liver
Amylase
Type of carbohydrase
Present in saliva
