Enzymes

Kelly Diep
Ms. Malonek
Period 1-Biology
9/3/14

Digestive Enzymes

        Digestive enzymes are enzymes that break down polymeric macromolecules into smaller building blocks to make their adsorption in the body easier. The digestive enzymes are very diverse and are found in digestive tracts of animals and humans. Their purpose is to aid in the digestion of food. 

       

        These enzymes are also found in the saliva secreted by salivary glands in the stomach, pancreatic juice, and in the intestinal secretions. Digestive enzymes are grouped based on their target substrates. Proteases and peptidases split proteins into small peptidases and amino acids. Lipases split into three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule. Carbohydrases split carbohydrates like sugar and starch into simple sugars.Nucleases split nucleic acids into nucleotides. 

        The main locations of digestion in the human body are the oral cavity, stomach and the small intestine. In the oral cavity, complex food substances must be broken down into simple, soluble, diffusible substances before they can be absorbed. Also, salivary glands secrete an array of enzymes and substances to help with digestion and disinfection. There are two kinds of salivary glands: serous and mixed glands. Serous glands produce a secretion rich in water, electrolytes, and enzymes. Mixed glands have both serous and mucous glands.

        The enzymes secreted in the stomach are called gastric enzymes. The stomach plays a major role in digestion by mixing and  crushing the food. Pepsin is the main gastric enzyme which breaks down protein in food into smaller particles. Pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine gland. It functions to produce endocrinic hormones released in the circulatory system. Thus, digestive enzymes have an important role in our bodies.

Reference:
Info-http://whole9life.com/2012/09/digestive-enzymes-101
        http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/04/23/digestive-enzymes-help-or-hype/
Pictures-Google Image