BIOLOGY-chemical breakdown of food

we need nutrients from our food to keep our bodies healthy

digestion breaks down large food molecules into small molecules so they can pass into our bloodstream

after mechanical breakdown, food must be broken into smaller molecules as it passes through the digestive system

carbohydrates, proteins and fats are large, insoluble food molecules

after teeth have chewed up food and stomach has churned food up, food molecules are still too big and insoluble to pass into the bloodstream

enzymes are specific, there are three main enzymes in your system

protease breaks down protein molcules

carbohydrase breaks down carbohydrate molecules

lipase breaks down fat molecules

starch is broken down into glucose in the mouth and small intestine

proteins are broken down into amino acids in the stomach and the small intestine

fats are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol in the small intestine

an example of a carbohydrate enzyme is amylase

an example of a protease enzyme is pepsin