Biology 2.1 Enzymes and Digestion

Human digestive system made up of long muscular tube and associated glands.

Glands produce enzymes = break down large molecules into small ones for absorption.

Digestion = large molecules hydrolysed by enzymes into small molecules that can be absorbed and assimilated.

Major parts of the digestive system

• Mouth breaks down food physically by chewing and mixes food with amylase from salivary glands, tongue rolls food into bolus.
• Oesophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach - adapted for transport, thick muscular wall.
• Stomach = muscular sac w/inner layer that produces enzymes, stores and digests food (proteins). 
• Glands in stomach produce enzymes to digest proteins and produce mucus (prevents stomach digesting itself)
• Small intestine (duodenum and ileum) = long muscular tube, further digests food.
• Enzymes produced by walls and glands in small intestine.
• Inner walls of small intestine = villi and micro villi on epithelial cells --> increase…