Understanding the Process of Starch Digestion: Enzymatic Breakdown of Carbohydrates in the Digestive System

breaking down starch/carbohydrates

When starch, a type of carbohydrate, is consumed and enters our digestive system, it undergoes a process called hydrolysis

When starch, a type of carbohydrate, is consumed and enters our digestive system, it undergoes a process called hydrolysis. This process breaks down starch into simpler molecules that our body can absorb and utilize for energy.

The breakdown of starch begins in the mouth with the action of an enzyme called amylase. Amylase, present in our saliva, starts to break down starch into smaller molecules called maltose, which is a disaccharide composed of two glucose units.

Once the partially digested food reaches the stomach, amylase activity decreases due to the acidic environment. However, it is important to note that only a small amount of starch digestion actually occurs in the stomach.

The majority of starch digestion occurs in the small intestine. As food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine, the pancreas releases pancreatic amylase to continue breaking down the starch into even smaller units. Pancreatic amylase converts the remaining starch into maltose and maltotriose (a trisaccharide composed of three glucose units).

Further digestion of these disaccharides and trisaccharides takes place at the brush border of the small intestine. Here, enzymes called maltase, sucrase, and lactase work to break down maltose, sucrose (a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose), and lactose (a disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose), respectively.

The final products of starch digestion are individual glucose molecules. The glucose is then absorbed by the small intestine and enters the bloodstream, where it can be transported to cells throughout the body to provide energy.

In summary, the process of breaking down starch/carbohydrates involves the action of enzymes such as amylase, maltase, sucrase, and lactase. These enzymes work together in different parts of the digestive system, transforming starch into simpler molecules like glucose that our body can use for energy.

More Answers: