The table shows the action of digestive enzymes on different nutrients. Enzyme Where it acts Nutrient broken down Product Amylase Mouth and small intestine ...
Question 1 Report
The table shows the action of digestive enzymes on different nutrients.
| Enzyme | Where it acts | Nutrient broken down | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amylase | Mouth and small intestine | Starch | Maltose |
| Protease | Stomach and small intestine | Protein | Amino acids |
| Lipase | Small intestine | Fat | Fatty acids and glycerol |
(a) Name the enzyme that breaks down starch. [1]
(b) State where in the body protein is first broken down. [1]
(c) Explain why fats need to be broken down into fatty acids and glycerol before they can be absorbed by the body. [2]
(d) Describe the role of the small intestine in digestion and absorption. [4]
Answer Details
(a) Enzyme that breaks down starch [1]:
- Amylase (1)
(b) Where protein is first broken down [1]:
- In the stomach (1)
(c) Why fats need to be broken down [2]:
- Fat molecules are too large to pass through the wall of the small intestine (1)
- They must be broken into smaller molecules (fatty acids and glycerol) so they can be absorbed into the blood (1)
(d) Role of the small intestine [4]:
- Enzymes in the small intestine complete the digestion of food into small, soluble molecules (1)
- The wall of the small intestine has villi which increase the surface area for absorption (1)
- Digested nutrients pass through the thin walls of the villi into the blood (1)
- The blood then carries the nutrients to the cells of the body where they are used (1)
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