Digestive enzymes

Enzymes are complex substances, organs, tissues, cells, and proteins that make up the human body. Enzymes are proteins that help in the acceleration of metabolism in our bodies. One of the functions is to construct substances while simultaneously destroying others. Enzymes can be found in all live species, not just living things; they can also be found in food, beverages, and other materials. In addition, these proteins serve as biological catalysts.

The molecules that the enzymes operate with are referred to as ‘substrates’. Enzymes work by converting substrates into products, which are distinct chemicals. The human body produces certain chemicals and requires protein for proper functioning, both of which enzymes play a role in. We’ve included a complete examination of enzymes in this comprehensive post for those students who are striving to grasp it quickly. To learn more, continue reading.

Digestive Enzymes

Enzymes are proteins that function as biocatalysts, speeding up chemical reactions on molecules known as substrates. They are crucial in the digestion of both plants and mammals.

Digestive enzymes are a set of enzymes that break down polymeric macromolecules (food molecules) into smaller components so that they can be absorbed more easily by the body. Hydrolases are the most common digestive enzymes found in the digestive systems of all animals (including humans) and carnivorous plants.

Types of Digestive Enzymes

Digestive System is classified into two Following types:

Amylase

It can be found in both the mouth and the pancreas of humans. This digestive enzyme converts starch and other carbs into sugar. Foods like rice and potatoes contain a lot of starch, which is broken down into maltose by the enzyme amylase.

Protease

A peptidase is another name for it. It’s mostly present in the stomach and pancreas of humans. By dissolving the peptide bonds existing inside proteins through the process of hydrolysis, this digestive enzyme breaks down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids. Some of the most significant protease enzymes are pepsin (made in the stomach), trypsin, and chymotrypsin (both generated in the pancreas).

Lipase

It’s mostly found in the mouth, stomach, and pancreas of humans. This enzyme aids in the digestion of dietary lipids. It degrades dietary lipids, such as fats and oils, into smaller molecules such as glycerol and fatty acids.

Nuclease

By dissolving phosphodiester bonds, this digestive enzyme aids in the breakdown of nucleic acids such as RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) into nucleotides.

Structure of Enzyme

Enzymes are proteins that are made up of many polypeptide chains, also known as amino acids that have been folded and coiled numerous times.

Function and Location of Different Digestive Enzymes

Digestive Enzymes in the Mouth

The salivary glands secrete a variety of digesting enzymes that are present in the human mouth. The following are some of them:

Lipase Enzyme

In the mouth, this enzyme starts the breakdown of fats or lipids.

Ptyalin, or salivary Amylase

It helps in the breakdown of carbohydrates, primarily starch, into maltose.

Lysozyme

It is a digestive enzyme that serves as an antimicrobial against non-essential nutrients such as bacteria and viruses that may be present in food.

Digestive Enzymes in the Stomach

Pepsin

The gastric main cells manufacture this enzyme, which is the most significant of all stomach enzymes. Pepsinogen, an inactive version of the enzyme, is produced by the stomach glands at first. The stomach acids subsequently activate pepsinogen, causing it to create pepsin. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins into peptides and amino acids.

Gastric Lipase

This acidic enzyme is produced by the gastric chief cells, which are found in the stomach’s fundic mucosa. Its ideal pH level is between 3 and 6. The breakdown of dietary lipids in the stomach is aided by this digestive enzyme. In addition to the digestive enzymes mentioned above, the stomach produces a number of hormones and compounds.

Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

The parietal cells in the stomach are responsible for producing his acid. It assists in the denaturation of ingested proteins, the destruction of food-borne microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, and the conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin.

Intrinsic Factor (IF) 

It is a protein produced by the parietal cells of the stomach that is required for Vitamin B12 absorption in the small intestine.

Mucin 

It is secreted by the mucous cells in the stomach to protect the stomach lining from the highly acidic environment.

Gastrin

This hormone is produced mostly by gastric cells in the stomach and aids in the stimulation of parietal cells to create Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) and Intrinsic Factor (IF).

Conclusion

As a result, it’s safe to say that enzymes are the most important protein in the human body for metabolism. They are known as biological catalysts because they speed up the rate of a chemical process in our bodies. An enzyme-substrate complex is formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

One of the most essential characteristics of enzymes is that they are unaffected by the reactions they catalyse. This article will cover all of the functions of enzymes, as well as their classification, examples, and many other topics.