IB HL Biology

Christopher Wong

An Introduction To The Digestive Enzymes

1. Digestive enzymes are secreted throughout the system to break down the following
macromolecules: Carbohydrates, Proteins and Lipids. Describe the role of an enzyme in
breaking down a macromolecule into a monomer. Generally speaking, what does an enzyme
do?
The role of enzymes in the digestive system is to break down macromolecules, found in food, into
monomers. Through this method, the body absorbs the monomers to facilitate the digestion of food.
There are many types of enzymes. They are found in nearly every step of the gastrointestinal track
including salivary glands, stomach, pancreas and small intestine.

2. Describe where complex carbohydrates are broken down into smaller disaccharides, and
subsequently, into monosaccharides in the digestive tract. Secondly, identify the specific
enzymes that are utilized in these processes, the resulting monomers and the optimal pH in
which these enzymes operate.
Complex carbohydrates are first broken down into disaccharides then into monosaccharides.
Polysaccharides are broken down by amylase secreted by the salivary glands and the pancreas,
resulting in maltose. Maltose is further broken down by maltose secreted by the small intestine,
producing glucose. These enzymes reach their optimal function in a pH around 8.0.

3. Why are lipids more difficult to digest than most complex molecules?
Lipids are more difficult to digest than most complex molecules because lipase, the enzyme that breaks
down lipids, is a water-soluble enzyme. This property limits its function since it can only attack the
surface of the fat molecules because lipids are hydrophobic.

b) Describe where lipids are broken down into glycerol and fatty acids in the digestive tract.
Secondly, identify the specific enzymes/substances that are utilized in these processes, their
source and the optimal pH in which these enzymes operate.
Lipids are broken into glycerol and fatty acids in the duodenum. Bile, a substance secreted by the liver,
is stored in the gallbladder. The bile enters the duodenum through the bile duct emulsifying the lipids.
The lipids are dispersed into smaller droplets increasing surface area, which allow lipase to further
break down the fatty molecules. Lipase reaches optimal function in a pH around 8.0.

IB HL Biology
Christopher Wong
4. Describe where proteins are broken down into smaller polypeptide chains, and subsequently,
into amino acids in the digestive tract. Secondly, identify the specific enzymes that are utilized
in these processes, the resulting monomers and the optimal pH in which these enzymes
operate.
Proteins are broken into smaller polypeptide chains and later, into amino acids. Pepsin and Trypsin are
known as endopeptidases, which hydrolyse peptide bonds to produce smaller polypeptide chains.
Pepsin originally starts out as pepsinogen, an enzyme secreted by the chief cells in the stomachs
gastric pits. Pepsinogen is converted into pepsin by hydrochloric acid secreted by the parietal cells in
the stomach. The acinar cells in the pancreas secrets trypsinogen and is converted into trypsin in the
duodenum. Epithelial cells of the small intestine produce enterokinase. Enterokinase activates the
trypsinogen in the small intestine. The results are smaller polypeptide chains. Pepsin reaches an
optimal function in a pH around 1.0 and Trypsin around 8.0.
Exopeptidases such as dipeptidase remove terminal amino acids. By removing terminal amino acids,
the resulting amino acids are ready for absorption. Exopeptidases function optimally in a pH of 8.0.

5. Why is pepsin initially secreted as pepsinogen in the stomach? How is it activated and why
is it not in its active form initially?
Pepsin is initially secreted as pepsinogen in the stomach because pepsins active form would damage
the endocrine cells. Pepsinogen is activated by the hydrochloric acid secreted by parietal cells. To
prevent damage, pepsin is initially secreted as pepsinogen.