The Need for Enzymes in Digestion
Understanding Enzymes in Digestion
Enzymes are the unsung heroes of our digestive system, working tirelessly to break down the food we eat into smaller, usable molecules. Without these microscopic catalysts, digestion would be painfully slow – if it happened at all!
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body without being changed or used up in the process.
Why Do We Need Digestive Enzymes?
- Size Matters
- Large food molecules (polymers) are too big to pass through cell membranes
- They must be broken down into smaller molecules (monomers) for absorption
- Example: Proteins → Amino acids, Carbohydrates → Simple sugars
- Speed and Efficiency
- Without enzymes, digestion could take days or weeks
- Enzymes can speed up reactions by millions of times
- This allows nutrients to be available quickly for energy and cell processes
Key Digestive Enzymes
1. Carbohydrate-digesting Enzymes
- Amylase (in saliva and pancreas)
- Breaks down starch into maltose
- Maltase (in small intestine)
- Converts maltose into glucose
2. Protein-digesting Enzymes
- Pepsin (in stomach)
- Breaks down proteins into peptides
