What type of digestion are enzymes involved in How do they work?

Chemical digestion

Enzymes are catalysts, which means they speed up the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the reaction. In chemical digestion, enzymes break down complex food molecules into simpler molecules that can be absorbed by the body.

Each enzyme is specific for a particular type of chemical bond. For example, amylase breaks down carbohydrates by hydrolyzing the bonds between glucose molecules, while protease breaks down proteins by hydrolyzing the bonds between amino acids.

Enzymes work by lowering the activation energy of a reaction, which is the amount of energy that is required for the reaction to start. This allows the reaction to occur at a lower temperature and at a faster rate.

Enzymes are very efficient and can catalyze thousands of reactions per second. They also have a high degree of specificity, which means that they only break down certain types of molecules. This prevents the body from breaking down its own tissues.

Enzymes are produced by cells in the body and are secreted into the digestive tract. They are also present in some foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and yogurt.

The following are some of the key enzymes involved in chemical digestion:

* Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates into sugars

* Protease: Breaks down proteins into amino acids

* Lipase: Breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol

* Nuclease: Breaks down nucleic acids into nucleotides

These enzymes work together to break down food molecules into small molecules that can be absorbed by the body. Undigested food molecules are passed out of the body as waste.