7.4.5

Chemical Digestion - Stomach

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Stomach Acid and Bile

Enzyme activity is affected by pH. Gastric juices in the stomach are acidic, and bile is alkaline.

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Gastric juices

  • Gastric juices in the stomach contains hydrochloric acid.
  • The acidic conditions are optimum for the enzyme pepsin in the stomach.
  • The hydrochloric acid kills harmful microorganisms that make it into the stomach in food by denaturing their enzymes.
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Bile

  • Bile is produced in the liver, stored in the gall bladder and released into the small intestine.
  • Bile is alkaline so neutralises the acid in food that comes from the stomach, which creates an optimal pH for enzymes in the small intestine.
  • Bile also breaks down large fat droplets into smaller fat droplets, which is called emulsification. This creates a larger surface area for lipases to break down the fats.

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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