MCAT Digestive Enzymes

Salivary amylase (ptyalin)

Produced in: salivary glands
Functions in: mouth
(Carbohydrates)
Hydrolyzes starch to maltose and dextrins

Pancreatic amylase

Produced in: Pancreas (acinar cells)
Functions in: duodenum
(Carbohydrates)
Hydrolyzes starch to maltose and dextrins

Maltase

Produced in: Intestinal glands
Functions in: duodenum
(Carbohydrates)
Hydrolyzes maltose to two glucose molecules

Isomaltase

Produced in: Intestinal glands
Functions in: Duodenum
Hydrolyzes isomaltase into two glucose molecules

Sucrase

Produced in: Intestinal glands
Functions in: duodenum
Hydrolyzes sucrose to glucose and fructose

Lactase

Produced in: intestinal glands
Functions in: duodenum
Hydrolyzes lactose to glucose and galactose

Pepsin(ogen)

Produced in: gastric glands (chief cells)
Functions in: stomach
Hydrolyzes specific peptide bonds; activated by HCl

Trypsin(ogen)

Produced in: Pancreas (acinar cells)
Functions in: duodenum
Hydrolyzes specific peptide bonds; converts chymotrypsinogen to chymotrypsin; activated by enteropeptidase

Chymotrypsin(ogen)

Produced in: Pancreas (acinar cells)
Functions in: Duodenum
Hydrolyzes specific peptide bonds; activated by trypsin

(Pro)Carboxypeptidases A and B

Produced in: Pancreas (acinar cells)
Function in: Duodenum
Hydrolyzes terminal peptide bond at carboxy end; activated by enteropeptidase

Aminopeptidase

Produced in: Intestinal glands
Functions in: duodenum
Hydrolyzes terminal peptide bond at amino end

Dipeptidases

Produced in: Intestinal glands
Functions in: duodenum
Hydrolyzes pairs of amino acids

Enteropeptidase

Produced in: Intestinal glands
Functions in: duodenum
Converts trypsinogen to trypsin and procarboxypeptidases A and B to carboxypeptidases A and B

Bile

Produced in: liver (stored in gallbladder)
Functions in: duodenum
Emulsifies fat

Lipase

Produced in: Pancreas (acinar cells)
Functions in: duodenum
Hydrolyzes lipids