Digestion

Presented by:
Ms. D. Wright

Objectives

Recap:
1. Teeth
2. Digestion of Carbohydrates
What is digestion?
Composition of the Alimentary Canal
Role of Enzymes In Digestion

Objectives contd
Effect of temperature and pH on
enzyme activity
How are proteins and fats digested
Role and function of organs within
the alimentary canal
Causes effects and treatment of
constipation, diarrhea and
gastroenteritis

Recap
Where does digestion begin?
Ans: In the mouth
What role do teeth play in the process of
digestion?
Ans: Teeth are responsible for mastication
(the mechanical breakdown of food via
crushing and grinding.)
Which enzyme is responsible for the
beginning of the break down of starch?
Ans: Salivary amylase

Recap contd
What is the activity of enzymes in
digestion referred to as?
Ans: Chemical digestion
Once food is being swallowed which
tube does it enter?
Ans: Oesophagus
What is the name of the tissue that
prevents food from entering the
larynx?
Ans: Epiglottis

Recap contd
What occurs to starch when it enters the
stomach?
Nothing, salivary amylase is inactive
due to the pH of the stomach
What occurs to starch in the duodenum?
Ans: Pancreatic amylase further breaks
down starch into its simplest
sugar/form. After which absorption of
the sugar occurs in the ileum.

What is Digestion?

 Digestion is the breakdown of

complex food substances into
smaller parts which are then
capable of passing through cell
membranes, into the transporting
fluids of the body. For example
blood and lymph.

Composition of the Alimentary Canal

Role of Enzymes in
Digestion
What are enzymes?
a substance produced by a living organism
which acts as a catalyst to bring about a
specific biochemical reaction.

What factors influence the rate of enzymes?

Temperature
Substrate Concentration
pH

Lets look at how salivary amylase

works.
..\..\..\..\Downloads\pH Enzyme Lab.
mp4

Effect of pH..understanding the scale

Effect of pH

Effects of pH

Effects of Temperature

Effects of Substrate
Concentration
What do you think is the effect of
substrate concentration?
Ans: The more concentrated the
substrate, the faster the chemical
reaction will proceed as more
enzymes are available to work.

Properties of Enzymes
Enzymes catalyse chemical
reactions. This means that they help
to speed up the reaction. They
remain unchanged at the end of the
reaction.
Enzymes are sensitive to poisons
such as cyanide.

 Enzymes breakdown large quantities of

substrate.
Enzymes are specific and one work on one
substrate.
Enzymes are inactivated at high
temperatures and become denatured
(destroyed) by boiling.
Enzymes work best at their optimal pH and
temperature, which varies for each type of
enzyme.

Role contd
Given this information, what then
is the role of enzymes in
digestion?

Digestion of Proteins

Digestion of Proteins
..\..\..\..\Downloads\Protein Digestio
n and Absorption Process.mp4

Question Time
1. Where does protein digestion begin ?
2. What are the names of the enzymes responsible for
the breakdown of proteins and where are they located
in the digestive tract?
3. Where are amino acids absorbed in the alimentary
canal?
4. In which conditions do the enzymes that digest
protein work best in?
5. What effect does pH, temperature and substrate
concentration have on the action of enzymes?

Activity
Using a flow chart map the
digestion of proteins in the
body.
Use the diagram on page 100
in your textbook as a guide.

Digestion of Fats
..\..\..\..\Downloads\Lipids Digestion
and Absorption.mp4

Question
Time

Activity

Using a flow chart map the

digestion of fats in the body.

Role and Function of the Digestive Organs

Illnesses involving the Digestive

System

Homework:
Find out the cause, symptoms and
treatment of diarrhoea, constipation
and gastroenteritis. Also find out about
how these illnesses affect the stomach
and intestines.

Thanks for
your
participation
.