What is the Function of the Digestive Enzymes ?

Table of Contents

What are the Function of Digestive Enzymes ?

Digestion is the process in which complex and large components of food are broken down into their respective simpler and smaller forms with the help of various types of Digestive Enzymes.Digestive enzymes help in digesting complex food materials into simpler molecules for easy absorption by the body.

5 Important Functions of Digestive Enzymes are as Follows

Carbohydrate Digestion

Enzyme – Salivary Amylase

Location- Secreted in the mouth by the salivary glands

Function

Digestive enzymes, such as salivary amylase, break down complex carbohydrates ( starches ) into simpler sugars such as glucose.
Salivary amylase is secreted by the salivary glands in the mouth and initiates the digestion of starch by breaking it down into smaller sugar molecules.

Protein Digestion

Enzymes – Pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin and peptidase

Locations

Pepsin – Stomach
Trypsin and Chymotrypsin- Small intestine (produced by pancreas)
Peptidase- Stomach, small intestine and pancreas

Function

Digestive enzymes are responsible for breaking down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids.
Different enzymes are involved in protein digestion at different stages of the digestive process.
Pepsin, for example, which is produced in the stomach, breaks down the proteins in the ingested food.
In the small intestine, trypsin and chymotrypsin, produced by the pancreas, further break down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids.
Peptidase is another important enzyme involved in protein digestion and is produced in the stomach, small intestine and pancreas.
Its main function is to hydrolyse protein substrates and break them down into amino acids.

Fat Digestion

Enzyme – Lipase

Locations- Pancreas, mouth and stomach

Function

Digestive enzymes known as lipases break down dietary fats (triglycerides) into smaller molecules called fatty acids and glycerol.
Lipase is produced in the pancreas, mouth and stomach and helps digest dietary fats.

Nucleic Acid Digestion

Enzyme- Nucleases

Location- Small intestine

Function

Nucleases are enzymes responsible for breaking down DNA and RNA into nucleotides.
These nucleotides can be absorbed by the body and used for various functions.

Enhancement of Absorption

Enzyme- Lactase (example)

Location- Small intestine

Function

Some digestive enzymes, such as lactase, play a role in the digestion of lactose, the sugar found in milk.
Lactase breaks down lactose into simpler sugars (glucose and galactose), allowing them to be absorbed.
A deficiency of these enzymes can lead to lactose intolerance, as the undigested lactose can cause digestive discomfort.
The digestive enzymes work together to break down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the small intestine.
The small intestine is lined with villi, which are tiny finger-like projections that increase the surface area of the intestine.
This allows nutrients to be absorbed more efficiently.

Once the food is digested, the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the cells in the body. The cells use these nutrients for energy, growth and repair.Digestive enzymes are essential for good health. Without them, we would not be able to digest food and absorb nutrients. This could lead to malnutrition and other health problems.

Also Check – List of Digestive enzymes, their sources, site of action, reactant and product and optimal ph

Digestive Enzyme	Source Organ	Site of Action	Reactant and Product	Optimal pH
Salivary Amylase	Salivary Glands	Mouth	starch + water ⇒ maltose	Neutral
Pepsin	Stomach	Stomach	protein + water ⇒ peptides	Acidic
Pancreatic Amylase	Pancreas	Duodenum	starch + water ⇒ maltose	Basic
Maltase	Small intestine	Small intestine	maltose + water ⇒ glucose	Basic
Sucrase	Small intestine	Small intestine	sucrose + water ⇒ glucose + fructose	Basic
Lactase	Small intestine	Small intestine	lactose + water ⇒ glucose + galactose	Basic
Lipase	Pancreas	Duodenum	fat droplet and water ⇒ glycerol and fatty acids	Basic
Trypsin	Pancreas	Duodenum	protein + water ⇒ peptides	Basic
Chymotrypsin	Pancreas	Duodenum	protein + water ⇒ peptides	Basic
Peptidases	Small intestine	Small intestine	peptides + water ⇒	Basic
Deoxyribonuclease	Pancreas	Duodenum	DNA + water ⇒ nucleotide fragments	Basic
Ribonuclease	Pancreas	Duodenum	RNA + water ⇒ nucleotide fragments	Basic
Nuclease	Small intestine	Small intestine	nucleic acids + water ⇒ nucleotide fragments	Basic
Nucleosidases	Small intestine	Small intestine	nucleotides + water ⇒ nitrogen base + phosphate sugar	Basic