Biology B2 4.4

The food you eat is made up of large insoluble molecules which your body cannot absorb. They need to be broken down or digested to form smaller, soluble molecules. These can then be absorbed and used by your cells. This chemicals breakdown is controlled by your digestive enzymes.

Most of your enzymes work inside the cells of your body. Your digestive enxymes are different, they work outside of your body. They are produced by specialised cells which are found in glands and in the lining of your gut.

The enzymes then pass out of these cells into the gut itself. It is here that they get mixed up with your food molecules and break them down.

Your gut is a hollow muscular tube which squeezes your food. The gut:

• helps to break up your food into small…