What is digestive enzymes? What is its functions?

Question

Answer

Digestive enzymes are substances secreted by the salivary glands and cells lining the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine to aid in the digestion of food. They do this by splitting the large, complex molecules that make up proteins, carbohydrates, and fats (macronutrients) into smaller ones, allowing the nutrients from these foods to be easily absorbed into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body.

Digestive enzymes are released both in anticipation of eating, when we first smell and taste food, as well as throughout the digestive process. Some foods have naturally occurring digestive enzymes that contribute to the breakdown of certain specific nutrients.

Answer

Answer

[1].Enzymes are the macro molecules made up of proteins. These are biological catalysts, they accelerate the chemical reaction in the living organisms.
[2].The chemical reactions result in a new product or molecule that then separates from the enzyme, which goes on to catalyze other reactions.
[3].Here's an example: When the salivary enzyme amylase binds to a starch, it catalyzes hydrolysis (the breakdown of a compound due to a reaction with water), resulting in maltose, or malt sugar.

Answer

Digestive enzymes play a key role in breaking down the food you eat. These proteins speed up chemical reactions that turn nutrients into substances that your digestive tract can absorb.

Your saliva has digestive enzymes in it. Some of your organs, including your pancreas, gallbladder, and liver, also release them. Cells on the surface of your intestines store them, too.
They work with other chemicals in the body, such as stomach acid and bile, to help break down food into molecules for a wide range of bodily functions.

Answer

What are Digestive Enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are proteins that help break down large molecules of food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body. They are produced by various organs in the digestive system, including the pancreas, stomach, small intestine, and salivary glands.

Functions of Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes play a vital role in the digestive process. Their functions include:

Breaking Down Carbohydrates: Enzymes like amylase in saliva and pancreatic juice break down carbohydrates into simple sugars like glucose.

Breaking Down Proteins: Proteases like pepsin in the stomach and trypsin and chymotrypsin in the small intestine break down proteins into amino acids.

Breaking Down Fats: Lipases like pancreatic lipase break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Breaking Down Nucleic Acids: Nucleases like pancreatic nuclease break down nucleic acids into nucleotides.

Assisting in Absorption: Digestive enzymes help break down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body.

Types of Digestive Enzymes

There are several types of digestive enzymes, including:

Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

Pepsin: Breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.

Trypsin and Chymotrypsin: Break down proteins into amino acids.

Lipase: Breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Nuclease: Breaks down nucleic acids into nucleotides.

Importance of Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are essential for maintaining good health. Without them, the body would not be able to break down food and absorb the nutrients it needs to function properly. Digestive enzyme deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems, including:

Malabsorption: When the body is unable to absorb nutrients from food properly.

Food Intolerances: When the body is unable to digest certain types of food, leading to symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas caused by a blockage of digestive enzymes.

Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder in which the body cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.

Similar Class 10 Doubts

What are enzymes ?name one enzyme of our digestive system and write its function .?

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