Question

Amylase, trypsin, and lipase are digestive enzymes. However, bile salts are not enzymes. Explain the difference between the function of digestive enzymes and bile salts and why bile salts aren't enzymes.

Answer 1

Ans) The human digestive tract functions to break down food particles into smaller molecules the body can absorb through the lining of the small intestines.

- The body performs two main types of digestion; mechanical digestion involves the physical breakdown of food such as the action of chewing, and chemical digestion involves digestive acid, digestive enzymes and bile salts, also commonly called bile acids or just bile. Bile salts and digestive enzymes perform different functions in different sections of the digestive tract.

- The concept of digestive enzymes is fairly easy to understand, but when delving into the details it is helpful to take a step back and understand what the myriad of available enzymes are actually performing within the body. While many separate enzymes are needed to interact with the food we eat, there are three amylase, protease, and lipase which are associated with the primary macronutrients in our diet; carbohydrates, proteins, and fats respectively.