What Does the Pancreas Do?
Reviewed: Dr. Mera
3. Amylase Enzyme
Carbohydrate is the main source of energy in humans and many animals, but starch cannot be absorbed into the body in its raw form. Amylase is the enzyme that breaks down starch into a simpler form for absorption.
Alpha-amylase is a pancreatic enzyme that breaks down starch into oligosaccharides and disaccharides (i.e. lactose, maltose). These molecules are later broken down by brush border enzymes (maltase, lactase, sucrose-isomaltase) of the intestine into monosaccharides (glucose). In the late duodenum and early jejunum, monosaccharides are finally absorbed by diverse mechanisms.
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