Question

Question 78
How do carbohydrates, proteins and fats get digested in human beings?

Answer 1

(1) Carbohydrates: The human saliva contains an enzyme called salivary amylase which digests starch (carbohydrate) present in food into sugar. Thus, the digestion of carbohydrate begins in the mouth.

In the duodenum, pancreatic juice which contains digestive enzymes like pancreatic amylase breaks down the starch (carbohydrate). It is further digested in the jejunum by the intestinal juice.

(2) Protein: In the stomach, proteins are digested by gastric juices, in the duodenum by pancreatic juices and in the jejunum by intestinal juices.

(3) Fats: In the duodenum and jejunum fats are digested by pancreatic juices aided by bile salts.