Pancreatic Juice Secretion

Because the pancreas secretes so many enzymes, it is important that pancreatic juice only be secreted when there is food that needs to be digested. Three chemicals stimulate the pancreas: cholecystokinin, secretin and gastrin. Cholecystokinin is made by cells in the intestines when proteins and fats are detected in the digestive tract. These same cells also make another hormone, secretin, which stimulates the pancreas. Finally, gastrin, which is synthesized by cells in the stomach, also makes the pancreas release its digestive juices.

The Source of Digestive Enzymes Digestive enzymes help to breakdown polymeric macromolecules into small building blocks, which are required by our body to maintain a healthy life. These enzymes are also present in the saliva, where they assist the first step of digestion. The enzymes are classified on the nature of substrates they work. Digestive enzymes are broadly classified into four groups. They are:

Proteolytic Enzyme: split proteins to amino acids Lipolytic Enzyme: split fats to fatty acids and glycerol Amylolytic Enzyme: split carbohydrate and starch to simple sugars Nucleolytic Enzyme: split nucleic acids to nucleotides

Mouth The oral cavity or the mouth contains salivary glands that secrete a wide range of enzymes to aid the first step of metabolism of food. The salivary gland secretes the enzyme lysozyme which has an antibacterial action. The enzymes secreted by the mouth mainly provide protection against bacteria. Betaine helps to maintain a fluid balance inside the mouth. The list of digestive enzymes secreted by the oral cavity are mentioned in the table. Enzymes Ptyalin Amylase Betaine Function Converts starch to simple soluble sugars Converts starch to soluble sugars Maintains cell fluid balance as osmolytes

Bromelain Anti-inflammatory agent, tenderizes meat Stomach The enzymes released by the stomach are known as gastric enzymes. They are responsible for breaking down complex macromolecules like proteins and fats into simpler compounds. Pepsinogen is the main enzyme of the stomach and its active form is pepsin. Stomach secretes hydrochloric acid which kills bacteria and germs and provides an acid environment for proper enzymatic activity of protease enzymes. The list of digestive enzymes secreted by the stomach are mentioned below. Enzymes Pepsin Gelatinase Rennin Gastric lipase Gastric amylase Degradation of starch Degradation of gelatin and collagen present as proteoglycans in meat Conversion of liquid milk to solid particles Degradation of butter fat Function Breaks protein into small peptides

Pancreas Pancreas is the storehouse of digestive enzymes and it is the main digestive gland of our body.

The digestive enzymes of the pancreas breakdown carbohydrates and starch molecules to simple sugars. They also secrete a group of enzymes which help in degradation of nucleic acids. It functions both as an endocrine and exocrine gland. The digestive enzymes secreted by pancreas are listed in the table. Enzymes Pancreatic lipase Phospholipase Trypsin Steapsin Chymotrypsin Function Degrades triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol Hydrolyzes phospholipids into fatty acids and lipophilic substances Converts proteins to basic amino acids Breakdown of triglycerides to glycerol and fatty acids Converts proteins to aromatic amino acids

Carboxypeptidase Degradation of proteins to amino acids Pancreatic amylase Degradation of carbohydrates to simple sugars Elastases Nucleases Degrade the protein elastin Conversion of nucleic acids to nucleotides and nucleosides

Small Intestine The final step of digestion is carried out by the small intestine. It contains a group of enzymes that breakdown the products undigested by the pancreas. This takes place just prior to excretion. The food gets converted to semi-solid form by the activity of the enzymes present in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The enzymes functioning in this part of the digestive system are mentioned below. Enzymes Secretin Sucrase Maltase Lactase Isomaltase Function Controls secretion of duodenum and osmoregulation Converts sucrose to disaccharides and monosaccharides Converts maltose to glucose Converts lactose to glucose and galactose Converts maltose to isomaltose

Cholecystokinin Stimulates digestion of proteins and fats