Digestion Flashcards
What is an enzyme?
A protein that acts as a catalyst and so lowers the activation energy needed for a reaction.
What is absorption
Movement of digested food molecules through the wall of the intestine into the blood or lymph
What is the pancreas
A large gland situated below the stomach. It produces a secretion called pancreatic juice, which contains proteases to hydrolyse proteins, lipase to hydrolyse lipids and amylase to hydrolyse starch.
What is hydrolysis?
How digestive enzymes function – the splitting up of molecules by adding water to the chemical bonds that hold them together.
What is Maltase?
Produced by the epithelial lining and is a membrane-bound disaccharidase which breaks down maltose into glucose.
What is Membrane-bound disaccharidase?
An enzyme which is not released into the lumen of the ileum but is part of the cell-surface membranes of the epithelial cells that line the ileum. E.g. maltase
What is sucrase?
Produced by the epithelial lining and is a membrane-bound disaccharidase which breaks down sucrose into the monosaccharides glucose and fructose.
What is lactase?
Produced by the epithelial lining and is a membrane-bound disaccharidase which breaks down lactose into the monosaccharides glucose and galactose.
What is bile salt?
Produced by the liver and split up lipids into tiny droplets called micelles.
What is emulsification?
The process by which lipids are split up into tiny droplets called micelles by bile salts, which are produced by the liver. It increases the surface area of the lipids so that the action of lipases is sped up.
