Digestive Enzymes and Their Functions

These flashcards cover key concepts related to digestive enzymes and their roles in breaking down macromolecules during digestion.

Trypsinogen

An inactive enzyme that is converted to trypsin in the small intestine to help break down proteins.

Amylase

An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars; produced in the pancreas.

Lipase

An enzyme that breaks down lipids (fats) into free fatty acids and glycerides.

Hydrolases

Enzymes that help break down food substances, including carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

Chylomicrons

Large lipoprotein particles formed in the intestinal cells that transport dietary lipids from the intestines to other locations in the body.

Zymogens

Inactive enzyme precursors that require a biochemical change to become active enzymes.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars that result from the breakdown of carbohydrates, including glucose and fructose.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Lacteals

Lymphatic vessels that absorb dietary fats from the intestines and transport them to the bloodstream.

pH 7

The neutral pH level at which many digestive enzymes, including amylase, function optimally.

Transporters

Proteins that facilitate the movement of substances across a cellular membrane.

Emulsification

The process of breaking down fat globules into smaller droplets to enhance digestion by enzymes.

Proteases

Enzymes that break down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharides; must be further broken down into monosaccharides for absorption.

Glucose Transporters (GLUT)

A group of proteins that facilitate the transport of glucose across cell membranes.