What enzymes are involved in the digestion of carbohydrates?

The enzymes involved in the digestion of carbohydrates are amylase, maltase, sucrase, and lactase.

Amylase is the first enzyme that begins the process of carbohydrate digestion. It is produced in the salivary glands and the pancreas. In the mouth, salivary amylase starts to break down complex carbohydrates, such as starch, into smaller chains of glucose molecules called maltose. This process continues in the small intestine where pancreatic amylase further breaks down these chains.

Maltase, sucrase, and lactase are enzymes that are found in the lining of the small intestine. These enzymes break down the smaller chains of glucose molecules into individual glucose molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Maltase breaks down maltose into glucose. Sucrase breaks down sucrose (table sugar) into glucose and fructose. Lactase breaks down lactose (milk sugar) into glucose and galactose.

It's important to note that these enzymes are specific to the type of sugar they break down. For example, lactase can only break down lactose and not other types of sugars. This specificity is due to the unique shape of each enzyme, which allows it to bind to its specific substrate (the molecule it acts upon).

The digestion of carbohydrates is a crucial process for the body as it provides the primary source of energy for cells. The glucose that is produced from this process is used in cellular respiration to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell. Without these enzymes, the body would not be able to efficiently break down carbohydrates and extract the energy needed for various cellular processes.

In some individuals, the production of one or more of these enzymes may be insufficient, leading to digestive problems. For example, lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency in lactase, resulting in the inability to digest lactose. This undigested lactose then ferments in the gut, causing symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Understanding the role of these enzymes in carbohydrate digestion can therefore also help in the diagnosis and management of such conditions.