What enzymes are involved in carbohydrate digestion?

The enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion include amylase, maltase, sucrase, and lactase.

Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth, where the enzyme salivary amylase starts the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars. This enzyme, produced by the salivary glands, acts on the starches in our food, breaking them down into maltose, a disaccharide. This process continues in the stomach, although at a slower rate due to the acidic environment.

Once the partially digested food, now known as chyme, enters the small intestine, it is acted upon by pancreatic amylase. This enzyme, secreted by the pancreas, continues the breakdown of starches into maltose. The small intestine also produces several other enzymes that act on disaccharides. These include maltase, which breaks down maltose into glucose; sucrase, which breaks down sucrose (table sugar) into glucose and fructose; and lactase, which breaks down lactose (milk sugar) into glucose and galactose.

These enzymes are crucial for the digestion of carbohydrates as they break down complex molecules into simpler ones that can be absorbed by the body. The glucose, fructose, and galactose produced by these enzymes are then absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine, providing the body with the energy it needs to function.

It's important to note that individuals can have deficiencies in some of these enzymes, which can lead to digestive problems. For example, lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency in lactase, leading to difficulties in digesting dairy products. Understanding the role of these enzymes in carbohydrate digestion can therefore also help in understanding and managing such conditions.