Enzymes and digestion

The enzymes involved in respiration, photosynthesis and protein synthesis work inside cells. Other enzymes are produced by specialised cells and released from them; the digestive enzymes are like this. They pass out into the gut, where they catalyse the breakdown of food molecules.

Different enzymes

Different enzymes catalyse different digestion reactions.

Enzymes and their reactions catalysed

Amylase is an example of a carbohydrase. Lipids are fats and oils.

Different parts of the gut

Different parts of the gut produce different enzymes.

Where enzymes are produced

Summary

Overall, this means that:

• Amylase catalyses the breakdown of starch into sugars in the mouth and small intestine.
• Proteases catalyse the breakdown of proteins into amino acids in the stomach and small intestine.
• Lipases catalyse the breakdown of fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol in the small intestine.