The enzyme investigation

Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. Each digestive enzyme acts on a particular substrate. Amylase breaks starch into smaller sugars; proteases break proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids; lipase breaks fats into fatty acids and glycerol. Enzymes work best within a particular range of conditions. Saliva contains amylase, and the stomach’s acidic conditions suit pepsin, a protease. The pancreas releases amylase, proteases such as trypsin, and lipase into the small intestine. Bile is made by the liver and helps disperse fat into droplets, but bile is not an enzyme.