What does chemical digestion do in the small intestine?

In the small intestine, chemical digestion further breaks down the partially digested food from the stomach into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body. This process involves various enzymes produced by the pancreas and the small intestine itself. Here's a summary of what chemical digestion does in the small intestine:

1. Enzymes from the Pancreas:

- Lipase: Breaks down lipids and fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

- Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates, specifically starch, into simple sugars like maltose.

- Protease: Breaks down proteins into smaller peptides and then into individual amino acids.

2. Enzymes from the Small Intestine:

- Enterokinase: Activates trypsin, a protease that further breaks down proteins.

- Lactase: Breaks down the disaccharide lactose, found in milk, into glucose and galactose.

- Sucrase: Breaks down sucrose, common table sugar, into glucose and fructose.

- Maltase: Breaks down maltose, produced by the breakdown of starch, into glucose.

3. Bile Salts from the Liver:

- Bile salts aid in the digestion and absorption of fats. They emulsify fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets that can be better acted upon by lipase.

4. Absorption of Nutrients:

- The final products of chemical digestion are simple sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids, which can be easily absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream.

- The inner lining of the small intestine has numerous finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area for efficient absorption of nutrients.

5. Transportation to the Large Intestine:

- Undigested materials, along with water and electrolytes, move along the small intestine and eventually reach the large intestine for further processing and absorption of water.

Chemical digestion in the small intestine is crucial for breaking down complex food molecules into forms that can be efficiently absorbed and utilized by the body. This intricate process ensures that essential nutrients are obtained from the food we consume and are made available for various metabolic processes.