7.4.2

Examples of Digestive Enzymes - Amylases

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Amylase

Carbohydrases break carbohydrates down into sugars. Amylase is a type of carbohydrase that breaks down starch in our bodies:

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Production

  • Amylase is produced in:
    • Small intestine
    • Pancreas
    • Salivary glands
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Purpose

  • Amylase breaks down starch into its constituent simple sugars (predominantly maltose).
  • Starch → Maltose (+ other sugars).
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Action sites

  • The sites of action (where it breaks down starch) of amylase are:
    • The small intestine
    • The mouth
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Maltase

  • After starch has been broken down into maltose, an enzyme called maltase breaks down maltose into a smaller sugar, glucose.
  • This happens on the epithelial lining of the small intestine, so that glucose can pass through the membrane straight into the bloodstream.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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