Bacteria and enzymes in the digestive system

Describe the role of helpful bacteria in the large intestine.
Define enzymes and explain their function as biological catalysts in the chemical breakdown of food.
Name the three main types of digestive enzymes (carbohydrase, protease, lipase) and state what type of food molecule each breaks down.

Digestion isn't just about mashing up food; it also involves chemical reactions and even tiny living organisms working inside you.
Helpful bacteria in our gut make some vitamins, while digestive enzymes (carbohydrases, proteases, and lipases) act as biological catalysts to chemically break down large food molecules into small, absorbable ones.

Your large intestine is home to trillions of bacteria, but don't worry – most of them are helpful.
These "good bacteria" live on the undigested food passing through.
What they do: They help us by producing important vitamins, like Vitamin K, which our bodies can then absorb and use. They also help prevent harmful bacteria from growing.
Probiotics: You might have seen adverts for yoghurts or drinks called probiotics. These contain live, helpful bacteria intended to support the "good bacteria" already in your gut.

Your digestive juices (like saliva, stomach acid, and fluids in the small intestine) contain special chemicals called enzymes.

What are enzymes? Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts. This means they speed up chemical reactions – specifically, they speed up the breakdown of large food molecules into small ones that your body can absorb. They do this without being changed or used up themselves.
How they work: Enzymes grab onto large food molecules and help break the bonds holding them together, chopping them into smaller pieces.
Specific Jobs: Enzymes are very specific! Each type of enzyme usually only works on one type of food molecule.

There are three main groups of digestive enzymes:

Carbohydrase:
- Job: Breaks down large carbohydrates (like starch) into small, simple sugars (like glucose).
- Example: Amylase (found in saliva and pancreatic juice).
- Where: Starts in the mouth, continues in the small intestine.
Protease:
- Job: Breaks down large proteins into smaller amino acids.
- Example: Pepsin (in the stomach), Trypsin (in the small intestine).
- Where: Starts in the stomach, continues in the small intestine.
Lipase:
- Job: Breaks down lipids (fats and oils) into fatty acids and glycerol.
- Where: Mostly in the small intestine.

Helpful bacteria: Microorganisms living in the large intestine that aid in digestion and produce vitamins.
Enzymes: Proteins produced by the body that act as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions, particularly the breakdown of food.
Carbohydrase: A type of digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates (like starch) into sugars.
Protease: A type of digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids.
Lipase: A type of digestive enzyme that breaks down lipids (fats and oils) into fatty acids and glycerol.
Carbohydrates: A main food group broken down by carbohydrase for energy.
Proteins: A main food group broken down by protease for growth and repair.
Lipids: A main food group broken down by lipase for energy storage and insulation.
Amino acids: Small molecules that are the products of protein digestion, used for building and repairing tissues.

Investigate how factors like temperature and pH levels can affect how well enzymes work, relating this to the conditions found in different parts of the digestive system (e.g., the acidic stomach vs. the more alkaline small intestine).
Research digestive disorders caused by a lack of specific enzymes (e.g., lactose intolerance due to insufficient lactase) and how these conditions are managed.