What is the function of digestive enzymes

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Digestive Enzymes During digestion, four different groups of molecules are commonly encountered. Each is broken down into its molecular components by specific enzymes: • Complex carbohydrates, or polysaccharides (such as starches), are broken down into oligosaccharides (consisting of two to ten linked monosaccharides), disaccharides (such as maltose), or individual monosaccharides (such as glucose or fructose). Enzymes called amylases break down starch. • Proteins are broken down into short chains of amino acids (peptides) or individual amino acids by enzymes called proteases. • Lipids are broken down into glycerol and fatty acids by enzymes called lipases. • Nucleic acids are broken down into nucleotides by enzymes called nucleases. A summary of enzymes and their substrates (substances upon which enzymes operate) appears in Table 1.

Term Meaning Digestive system The body system that converts food into energy and nutrients to fuel the body Chemical digestion The breaking down of food using chemical agents, such as enzymes and bile Mechanical digestion The breaking down of food by physical means, such as chewing Absorption The process by which nutrients pass through the walls of the digestive system into the blood Excretory system The body system that removes metabolic wastes from the body Excretion The process of removing wastes and excess water from the body The chyme is slowly transported into the small intestine, where most chemical digestion takes place. Bile, which is made in the liver, is released from the gallbladder to help digest fats. In addition, enzymes from the pancreas and intestinal walls combine with the chyme to start the final part of digestion. The chyme then enters the large intestine. Here, water is removed and bacteria break down some undigestible materials, producing important compounds (such as vitamin K). The concentrated waste material that remains is called feces, which is passed into the rectum and eliminated from the body through the anus. The small intestine is actually longer than the large intestine. In fact, at approximately 20 feet in length, the small intestine is nearly four times as long as the large intestine (5 feet long)! However, the intestines are named for their diameters, not their lengths. The large intestine has a diameter of about 3 inches compared to the ...

An enzyme is a type of protein found within a cell. Enzymes create chemical reactions in the body, and can actually speed up the rate of a chemical reaction to help support life. Enzymes are produced naturally in the body and help with important tasks, including: • building muscle • destroying toxins • breaking down food particles during digestion An enzyme’s shape is tied to its function. Heat, disease, or harsh chemical conditions can damage enzymes and change their shape. When this happens, an enzyme doesn’t work anymore. This affects the body processes that the enzyme helped to support. Enzymes are required for proper digestive system function. You can also take enzymes in pill form if you’re having certain digestive problems. While there are many different types of digestive enzymes, there are three main types produced in the pancreas, an organ that does a lot of the working during digestion. These digestive enzymes are categorized based on the reactions they help catalyze: • Amylase breaks down starches and carbohydrates into sugars. • Protease breaks down proteins into amino acids. • Lipase breaks down lipids, which are fats and oils, into glycerol and fatty acids. Amylase Amylase is produced mostly in the pancreas, but also in the salvary glands and small intestine. One type of amylase, called ptyalin, is made in the salivary glands and starts to act on starches while food is still in your mouth. It remains active even after you swallow. Pancreatic amylase is made ...

Your Parts of the Pancreas Your pancreas is shaped like an elongated pear that extends horizontally across your abdomen. The widest part, called the head, is near the center of the abdomen, the point where the stomach meets the small intestine. The middle part of the pancreas is called the neck or body, and it extends to the left, where it tapers to a thin end called the tail. There are several major blood vessels that supply blood to your pancreas and other abdominal organs, including the superior mesenteric artery, the superior mesenteric vein, the portal vein, and the celiac axis. Almost 95% of your pancreas is made up of a type of tissue that produces digestive enzymes called exocrine tissue. The other 5% is made up of cells called islets of Langerhans, which produce hormones. What Does the Pancreas Do? Your pancreas makes about 8 ounces of digestive juices every day. These juices contain enzymes to break down your food. These enzymes empty into the upper part of your small intestine and include: • Lipase, which works with • Protease, which breaks down protein in your diet and protects you from some types of bacteria and yeast that live in your intestine • Amylase, which breaks down starches into sugar so your body can use them for fuel The pancreas also produces hormones that are released directly into your blood. Hormones from your pancreas carry messages to other parts of your digestive system. The hormones produced by your pancreas are: Insulin The beta cells in yo...

Pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and other conditions that affect the pancreas cause exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). People with EPI don’t have enough pancreatic (digestive) enzymes to break down foods and absorb nutrients. It can lead to malnutrition. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) can help. Overview What is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)? EPI occurs when your pancreas doesn’t make enough digestive enzymes. Sometimes the enzymes don’t work as they should. Enzymes are proteins that cause chemical reactions in your body. Digestive enzymes break down food, allowing your body to get nutrients. Children with Symptoms and Causes What causes exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)? The pancreas is part of your When you have EPI, you don’t have enough digestive enzymes. Foods pass through your intestines in a more complete (undigested) state. As a result, your body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs from foods. The different types of pancreatic enzymes include: • Amylase, which breaks down • Lipase, which breaks down • Protease and elastase, which break down proteins. What causes exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in adults? Chronic pancreatitis is the main cause of EPI in adults. As many as Other causes of EPI in adults include: • • • • • Surgery on the digestive tract, including What causes exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in children? Cystic fibrosis is the top cause of EPI in infants and children. Children inherit cystic fibrosis from ...