the following are enzymes needed for the digestion of macronutrients. which is needed for the digestion of carbohydrates?
Enzymes for Digestion of Macronutrients
Answer:
In the process of digestion, various enzymes play crucial roles in breaking down macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body. For the digestion of carbohydrates specifically, the enzyme needed is amylase.
Amylase is responsible for breaking down complex carbohydrates, such as starch, into simpler sugars like glucose. There are two primary types of amylase involved in carbohydrate digestion: salivary amylase, produced in the salivary glands, and pancreatic amylase, produced in the pancreas. Salivary amylase begins carbohydrate digestion in the mouth, while pancreatic amylase continues this process in the small intestine after food is passed from the stomach.
The breakdown of carbohydrates into sugars by amylase allows for easier absorption of nutrients by the intestines, providing the body with a source of energy essential for various biological processes.