What happens during the process of digestion involving enzymes?

During the process of digestion involving enzymes, food is broken down into usable nutrients. Enzymes play a crucial role in this process by catalyzing the chemical reactions that break down macromolecules in food—such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—into smaller, absorbable units. For example, amylase breaks down starch into sugars, proteases break down proteins into amino acids, and lipases break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

This breakdown is essential for the body to utilize the nutrients from food for various functions such as energy production, growth, and repair of tissues. The resulting nutrients are then absorbed through the walls of the digestive tract, primarily in the small intestine, and transported into the bloodstream to be delivered to cells throughout the body, enabling the various energy and metabolic pathways to function effectively. This process is fundamental to nutrition and overall health.