Digestive Enzyme

Key Stage 3

Meaning

The digestive enzyme shown in purple attaches to the substrate which is broken down into two smaller pieces.

A digestive enzyme is a molecule made in the digestive system that breaks down large food molecules into smaller molecules.

About Digestive Enzymes

There are different digestive enzymes for each nutrient.

Some digestive enzymes you should know:

• Carbohydrase - Breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars.
• Protease - Breaks down proteins.
• Lipase - Brakes down lipids (fats and oils).

Key Stage 4

Meaning

A digestive enzyme is an enzyme which is used to break down large insoluble molecules into smaller soluble molecules.

About Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes, like all enzymes, are made of proteins.

Digestive enzymes work as a catalyst for the breakdown of large molecules.

Digestive enzymes are shaped to work on only one substrate. This called the Lock and Key Hypothesis.

Some digestive enzymes you should know:

• Carbohydrases - Salivary Amylase, Pancreatic Amylase and Amylase.
• Proteases - Pepsin, Trypsin and Petidase
• Lipase

Digestive Enzyme	Breaks down...	into...	Produced by:
Salivary Amylase	Starch	Maltose	The salivary glands in the mouth.
Pancreatic Amylase	Starch	Maltose	The pancreas and released into the Small Intestine.
Amylase	Maltose	Glucose	The Small Intestine.
Pepsin	Protein	Amino Acids	The gastric glands in the stomach.
Trypsin	Protein	Amino Acids	The pancreas and released into the Small Intestine.
Peptidase	Protein	Amino Acids	The Small Intestine.
Lipase	Lipids	Fatty Acids and Glycerol.	The Pancreas.