🍞🍗🧈 Functions of Key Digestive Enzymes: A Visual Breakdown for MCAT & DAT
Whether you’re prepping for the MCAT, DAT, or NCLEX, understanding digestive enzymes is critical. These enzymes catalyze the breakdown of macromolecules — carbohydrates, proteins, and fats — into absorbable units.
🍞 Carbohydrate-Digesting Enzymes
| Enzyme | Function | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Amylase | Breaks starch into smaller sugars | Saliva (mouth), pancreas |
| Sucrase-isomaltase | Breaks sucrose and isomaltose | Small intestine |
| Maltase | Breaks maltose into glucose | Brush border enzymes |
| Lactase | Breaks lactose into glucose + galactose | Small intestine |
🔍 MCAT Insight: Lactase deficiency = lactose intolerance, tested often in passage-based questions.
🍗 Protein-Digesting Enzymes
| Enzyme | Function | Secreted By |
|---|---|---|
| Pepsin | Breaks proteins in the stomach | Chief cells (stomach) |
| Trypsin | Activates other proteases | Pancreas (as trypsinogen) |
| Peptidase | Cleaves peptides into amino acids | Small intestine lining |
🧠 MCAT/DAT Pro Tip: Pepsin works best in acidic pH, trypsin in alkaline — easy testable point.
🧈 Fat-Digesting Enzyme
| Enzyme | Function | Action Site |
|---|---|---|
| Lipase | Breaks triglycerides into fatty acids + glycerol | Small intestine |
✅ Paired with bile from the liver, which emulsifies fats and improves lipase activity.
🧠 Summary Mnemonic
“A Little Milk Protein Later”
Amylase – Lactase – Maltase – Pepsin – Lipase
Helps you remember enzyme types in order of macromolecule breakdown: carbs first, protein second, fats last.
🔬 Where You'll See This on Exams
🧪 MCAT Biology: Digestive system physiology passages
🧬 DAT Bio: Enzyme types and nutrient absorption
🏥 NCLEX: Dietary restriction, enzyme deficiencies, GI disorders
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