British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Carbohydrase definition

Definition: Carbohydrase is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars that are more easily absorbed and useable in the body. Carbohydrates are long molecules and are not as easily utilised in the body. The process starts with carbohydrates in food being eaten, and saliva in the mouth from the salivary glands does the initial breakdown of the carbohydrates. The partially digested carbohydrates then travel down to the stomach, where the acid further breaks it down, then further down the digestive system. Bile from the pancreas breaks it down into even smaller molecules. The small intestine and large intestine do more work on them before the final simple sugar molecules are absorbed by the small intestine into the bloodstream and then out to the rest of the body for use.