Digestion and Enzymes

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  • Created by: alexda
  • Created on: 09-04-15 11:58
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  • The Digestive System and Enzymes
    • Digestion is the breakdown of food into soluble products.
      • Digestion is catalysed by enzymes.
        • Starch, proteins and fats are big insoluble  molecules so they are unable to pass through the walls of the digestive system.
          • Sugars, amino acids, glycerol and fatty acids are smaller soluble molecules so they can pass through the walls of the digestive system.
        • Carbohydrases including amylase digest starch to sugars.
        • Proteases including pepsin digest proteins to amino acids.
    • Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder prior to secretion into the small intestine.
      • Bile is alkaline and neutralises excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach, otherwise conditions would be too acidic.
      • Bile emulsifies fats. This creates a bigger surface area of fat for the enzyme lipase to react with and speeds up digestion.

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