Enzymes And Digestion Flashcards
What are the three main types of food molecule?
Starch, protein and fat
Why do enzymes have to break up large food molecules?
So that the molecules can pass easily through the walls of the digestive system
What enzyme is used to break down starch molecules?
Amylase
Where is the enzyme amylase made?
- the salivary glands
- the pancreas
- the small intestine
What does amylase break starch down into?
Maltose (and other sugars)
What enzyme breaks down protein molecules?
Protease
Where are protease enzymes produced?
- the stomach (where it’s call pepsin)
- the pancreas
- the small intestine
What do protease enzymes break protein molecules down into?
Amino acids
What enzyme breaks down fat molecules?
Lipase
Where are lipase enzymes created?
- the pancreas
- the small intestine
What do lipase enzymes break fat molecules down into?
- glycerol
- fatty acids
What are lipids?
Fats and oils
What is the role of the salivary glands within the digestive system?
Produce amylase enzymes in the saliva
What is the role of the liver within the digestive system?
Produces bile which neutralises stomach acid and emulsifies fat
What is the role of the gall bladder within the digestive system?
Stores and releases bile into the small intestine
What is the role of the stomach within the digestive system?
- pummels food with muscular walls
- produces protease enzymes
- produces hydrochloric acid to kill bacteria and give the right pH for protease enzymes to function
What is the role of the pancreas’ within the digestive system?
Produces and release protease, amylase and lipase enzymes into the small intestine
What is the role of the small intestines within the digestive system?
- produces protease, amylase and lipase enzymes to complete digestion
- this is where digested food is absorbed into the blood
What is the role of the large intestine within the digestive system?
Absorbs excess water from food
What is the role of the rectum within the digestive system?
Where the faeces are stored before they are excreted through the anus
What is the main purpose of digestive enzymes?
To break down large food molecules into smaller molecules
