Digestive Enzymes and Hormones of the Alimentary Canal

Just some common things to know about the enzymes and hormones of the alimentary canal:

Pancreatic Lipase:

Enzyme secreted that turns a triglyceride in the small intestine into a monoglyceride and two free fatty acids

Nuclease:

Enzyme in pancreatic juice that breaks down DNA & RNA

Salivary Amylase:

Enzyme in the mouth that helps break down carbohydrates

Secretin:

Hormone that slows down the production of gastric juice and helps to stimulate the release of pancreatic juice

Cholecystokinin:

Hormone that inhibits stomach emptying and stimulates the continuous release of pancreatic juice and bile into the duodenum.

Pancreatic Amylase:

Enzyme in pancreatic juice that breaks down carbohydrates

Gastrin:

Hormone stimulated by Hydrochloric Acid that encourages the secretion of gastric juice to promote digestion

Trypsin (Chymotrypsin):

Enzymes in pancreatic juice that break down proteins

Pepsin:

Enzyme present in gastric juice that begins the hydrolysis of proteins. Triggered by release of Gastrin and nervous stimulation.

Peptidase:

Enzymes in pancreatic juice that break down proteins

Sucrase:

Enzyme that breaks down the carbohydrate sucrose into glucose & fructose

Maltase:

Enzyme that breaks down the carbohydrate maltose into glucose

Lactase:

Enzyme that breaks down the carbohydrate lactose into glucose and galactose

Intestinal Lipase:

Enzyme the body uses to break down fats in food so they can be absorbed