Function of enzymes
Function of enzymes
The work of enzymes in the digestion process is to breakdown food during the digestion process. Enzymes role is to complete the whole process of digestion. Without the enzymes, we would die of malnutrition even when we munch food all the time. When food is broken down, nutrients are absorbed by the enzymes into the blood stream. When chewing the food in the mouth, the mouth secretes the enzyme amylase which breaks down starches into smaller units of molecules containing maltose. This process leads to the production of glucose. Glucose is required for energy production.
The digestion of fats and proteins.
The stomach and the intestines break down fats and protein in a chemical process. When food reaches the stomach, the cell lining of the stomach produces stomach acid known as the pepsinogen and hydrochloric acid. The pepsinogen produces pepsin the enzyme, which is essential for breaking the bond between proteins amino acid. The amino acid is absorbed in the body to form millions of protein needed by the body. The pancreas also produces the pancreatic enzyme known as the lipase. The lipase function is to break down fat into small fatty acids. The fatty acid plays the role of producing hormones and building the cell membranes in the body. Lastly, the small intestines produce peptidase enzyme including aminipetidase and carboxypepidase.
The path that food follows.
In the digestive system, specific types of enzymes digest each nutrient. In that, the amylase digests carbohydrates, protease, and peptidase digest protein. The salivary glands produce saliva in the mouth. Saliva works in smoothening, and moisturizing food making it easy to chew and swallow. The saliva contains amylase which is essential for breaking down carbohydrates into sugar known as the maltose. When food reaches the stomach, the pepsin enzyme is secreted by the stomach wall. Pepsin works in breaking down protein into soluble peptides. In the small intestines, the bile juice secreted by the gall bladder functions in neutralizing chime by making it alkaline. The bile salt work is to emulsify oils and fats into droplets. At the large intestine, most of the nutritional elements have been digested. Only some vitamins, water and salt are absorbed by the large intestines (Gregory, 2011).
Reference
Dr. Gregory M (2011) Digestive system. Retrieved from.
On October 22, 2012.
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