Enzymes and Digestion

Enzymes and Digestion

1. Digestive enzymes breakdown big molecules into smaller ones

   • 1. Starch, protein and fats are BIG molecules
   • 2. Sugars, amino acids, glycerol and fatty acids are much smaller molecules
     • They can pass through the walls of the digestive system easily

2. Diagram of convertion of enzymes

3. Bile neutralise the stomach acid:

   • Bile is produced in the liver
   • Bile stored in the Gall Bladder before released into the Small intestine
   • Bile is alkaline
     • It neutralise the acid and makes conditions alkaline
   • Enzymes work best in alkaline condition in Small intestine

4. Emulsifies

   • It emulsifies fats
     • Breaks the fat into tiny droplets
       • Gives a bigger surface area of fats for enzymes lipase to work on.
         • Which make it digestion faster

5. More on enzymes and digestion

   • The breakdown of food is catalysed by enzymes
   • 1. Enzymes used in the digestive system
     • Produced by specialised cell in the glands and gut lining
   • 2. Different enzymes catalyse the breakdown of different food molecules

Images and files in the map