DNA Digestion in Human Digestive System

The human digestive system is responsible for breaking down complex food molecules into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the body. DNA, which is present in every cell, is also broken down during digestion. The following points explain how DNA is digested in the human digestive system:

Enzymes Involved in DNA Digestion

Enzymes are specialized proteins that catalyze specific chemical reactions in the body. There are different types of enzymes that are involved in DNA digestion in the human digestive system. These enzymes include:

1. Pancreatic Juice Enzymes

The pancreas is a glandular organ that secretes pancreatic juice into the small intestine. Pancreatic juice contains several enzymes including:

- Ribonuclease (RNase): This enzyme breaks down RNA into nucleotides.
- Deoxyribonuclease (DNase): This enzyme breaks down DNA into nucleotides.
- Proteases: These enzymes break down proteins into amino acids.
- Amylase: This enzyme breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

2. Gastric Juice Enzymes

The stomach secretes gastric juice that contains hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Pepsin is a protease enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.

3. Bile Juice Enzymes

Bile is a yellow-green fluid that is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile contains bile salts that help in the digestion and absorption of fats. Bile juice also contains nucleases, which are enzymes that break down nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) into nucleotides.

4. Succus Entericus Enzymes

The small intestine secretes succus entericus, which is a mixture of enzymes that includes:

- Maltase: This enzyme breaks down maltose (a disaccharide) into glucose.
- Sucrase: This enzyme breaks down sucrose (a disaccharide) into glucose and fructose.
- Lactase: This enzyme breaks down lactose (a disaccharide) into glucose and galactose.
- Nucleases: These enzymes break down nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) into nucleotides.

DNA Digestion Process

When we consume plant or animal material, the DNA present in these foods enters our digestive system. The following steps explain how DNA is digested in the human digestive system:

1. Mouth

The process of DNA digestion begins in the mouth where food is mechanically broken down by chewing and mixed with saliva. Saliva contains an enzyme called salivary amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

2. Stomach

When food reaches the stomach, it is mixed with gastric juice which contains hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Pepsin breaks down proteins into smaller peptides. However, DNA is not digested in the stomach because pepsin cannot break down nucleic acids.

3. Small Intestine

When food enters the small intestine, it is mixed with pancreatic juice and bile juice. Pancreatic juice contains enzymes such as DNase and RNase that break down DNA and RNA into nucleotides. Bile juice contains nucleases that also break down nucleic acids into nucleotides.

4. Absorption

The nucleotides that are produced by the digestion of DNA are absorbed by the cells lining the small intestine. These cells then transport the nucleotides to the

Both these Juices contains The enzymes nucleosidase and nucleotidase which are the basic building blocks of DNA. these enzymes act upon DNA beaking it into suar, base and phosphate