Enzymes in Digestion

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What is the role of enzymes in digestion?

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions that break down food molecules into absorbable nutrients.

Where do enzymes act in the digestive system?

Enzymes act in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine.

Which enzyme is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates in the mouth?

Amylase, which is present in saliva, breaks down carbohydrates.

What is the function of pepsin in digestion?

Pepsin breaks down proteins into smaller peptides in the stomach.

Which enzyme breaks down fats?

Lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

How do enzymes contribute to the absorption of nutrients?

Enzymes break down large food molecules into smaller ones, allowing them to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

What enzyme is secreted by the pancreas for protein digestion?

Trypsin is secreted by the pancreas to digest proteins.

Explain how temperature affects enzyme activity in digestion.

Enzyme activity increases with temperature up to a point; extreme temperatures can denature enzymes and halt their function.

Which enzyme converts lactose into glucose and galactose?

Lactase breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose.

What is the significance of enzyme specificity?

Enzymes are specific to their substrates, meaning each enzyme only catalyzes a specific reaction.

How does pH affect enzyme activity in the digestive system?

Each enzyme has an optimal pH range; deviations can decrease activity or denature the enzyme.

What role do enzymes play in the small intestine?

Enzymes in the small intestine further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into absorbable units.

Identify an enzyme that functions in the stomach and its substrate.

Pepsin functions in the stomach and its substrate is proteins.

Why are enzymes important for efficient digestion?

Without enzymes, digestion would be too slow to meet the body's nutritional needs.

What is the role of bile in enzyme activity?

Bile emulsifies fats, increasing the surface area for lipase to act on and aiding in fat digestion.