Question

What is the function of enzymes in the human digestive system?

Answer 1

Digestive enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up the chemical breakdown of large food molecules into small, absorbable units. Main functions and examples:

• Breaking down carbohydrates: Amylases split starch into sugars, which intestinal enzymes then convert into monosaccharides like glucose.
• Breaking down proteins: Pepsin, trypsin, and peptidases cleave proteins into smaller peptides and eventually into amino acids.
• Breaking down fats: Bile emulsifies fats, allowing lipase to hydrolyze them into fatty acids and glycerol.