4. Discuss the role of hepatopancreatic complex in the digestion of carbohydrate, protein and fat components of food.
4. Discuss the role of hepatopancreatic complex in the digestion of carbohydrate, protein and fat components of food.

Solution:

The hepatopancreatic complex plays a major role in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats

Bile is produced by the liver. Bile aids in fat emulsification. Bile also offers an alkaline environment for enzymes in the small intestine to function properly. Trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, procarboxypeptidases, amylases, lipases, and nucleases are all inactive enzymes found in pancreatic juice. Enterokinase, an enzyme, activates trypsinogen.

The action of hepato-pancreatic secretion on digestion on carbohydrate, proteins and fats:

(i) Carbohydrates in the chyme are hydrolysed by pancreatic amylase into disaccharides.

Polysaccharides (starch) → Disaccharides (in the presence of amylase)

(ii) Lipases break down fats into di and monoglycerides with the help of bile.

Triglycerides→ Emulsified triglycerides → diglycerides ( in the presence of lipase)→ Monoglycerides

(iii) Proteins in the chyme reaching the intestine are acted upon by the proteolytic enzymes of pancreatic juice.