Digestion By Enzymes

Digestion

Digestion is the breakdown of larger, insoluble molecules into smaller, soluble ones so that they can be absorbed by the body.

Digestion happens in many different parts of the digestive system.

It starts in the mouth, with the breakdown of starch into maltose (which will eventually be broken down into glucose) by the enzyme amylase. This enzyme is produced by the salivary glands.

Then the food travels down the oesophagus to the stomach, where a protease enzyme by the name of pepsin breaks down protein into amino acids.

Following this, the food travels to the small intestine, where it is digested by amylase, protease and lipase. All of these enzymes are produced in both the pancreas and small intestine. Lipase actually breaks down lipids into glycerol and fatty acids.

After there are glucose, amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol in the small intestine, all of these molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream so that they can be used by the body.

There are many other aspects to the digestive system, but we have only looked here at the digestion of molecules by enzymes.

In my tuition, I ensure students remember this as well as all other aspects.