Digestion and enzymes
I can describe the processes of mechanical and chemical digestion that break down food to release nutrients, including the role of enzymes.
Digestion and enzymes
I can describe the processes of mechanical and chemical digestion that break down food to release nutrients, including the role of enzymes.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The differences between mechanical and chemical digestion and where they take place.
- Food is made up of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
- Carbohydrates, proteins and fats in food are broken down by digestion into smaller molecules that can be absorbed.
- Enzymes are biological molecules that act as catalysts to speed up chemical digestion of carbohydrate, protein and fat.
- Enzymes digest carbohydrates into starch and sugars, proteins into amino acids, and fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
Common misconception
Food is absorbed without being digested; or "goodness" from food is what is absorbed.
The lesson explores the roles of mechanical and chemical digestion (by enzymes) of different food types into small molecules to be absorbed.
Keywords
Digestion - Digestion is the process of breaking down large food molecules into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into the blood.
Enzyme - An enzyme is a biological molecule that is a catalyst that speeds up the rate of a reaction.
Carbohydrate - A carbohydrate is a molecule made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and provides energy.
Protein - A protein is a molecule made of amino acids, and is used for growth and repair.
Fat - A fat is a molecule that is stored and used for energy.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
potatoes
meat
butter
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Exit quiz
6 Questions
