B3: Organisation and the Digestive System

active site

the site on an enzyme where the reactants bind

amino acids

building blocks of proteins

amylase

enzyme that speeds up the digestion of starch into sugars

bile

neutralizes stomach acid

carbohydrases

enzymes that break down carbohydrates into simple sugars

carbohydrates

molecules containing carbon

catalyst

substance that speeds up the rate of a reaction without being used up or changed itself

denatured

breakdown of the molecular structure of a protein

differentiate

process where cells become specialized for a particular function

digestive system

organ system responsible for food digestion and absorption

enzymes

biological catalysts

fatty acids

components of lipid molecules

glycerol

component of lipid molecules

lipase

enzyme that breaks down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol

lipids

include fats and oils

metabolism

sum of all reactions in a cell or organism's body

organ

collection of different tissues working together to carry out specific functions

organ system

group of organs working together to carry out specific functions and form organisms

proteases

enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids

proteins

molecules made of long chains of amino acids

simple sugars

small carbohydrate units

tissue

group of specialized cells with similar structure and function