Question

You had eaten boiled rice at lunch time. Make a list of enzymes it will be acted upon and the changes it will undergo before being absorbed in the small intestine

Answer 1

Hint: The four major functions of carbohydrates within the body are to provide energy and regulate the blood glucose level; store energy in the form of glycogen in muscles and liver; build macromolecules by breaking down the fatty acids, and spare the use of protein and fat for energy.

Complete answer:
Boiled rice is rich in starch in the form of carbohydrates. The digestion of starch (carbohydrates) is acted upon by the following list of enzymes before being absorbed by the small intestine:
-Reaction of Salivary amylase in the oral cavity:
With the help of salivary glands of the mouth, the enzyme called Salivary amylase is secreted in the buccal cavity. The boiled rice which contains starch is acted upon by the enzyme and breaks it down to produce Maltose, Isomaltose and Dextrin. The digestion of starch which takes place in the oral cavity converts 30% of starch during the process.
-Reaction of Pancreatic amylase in the small intestine:
The secretion of pancreatic juice from the Pancreas contains the enzyme called pancreatic amylase. It acts upon the remaining starch into Maltose, Isomaltose and Dextrin.
-Reaction of enzymes in the small intestine:
With the help of the enzymes, Maltase, Isomaltase and Dextrinase in the small intestine, Maltose, Isomaltose and Dextrin are broken down and converted into two units of glucose. The enzymes, Lactase and Sucrase are found in the small intestine. Lactase is acted upon by lactose and breaks down to form glucose and galactose and in the same way, sucrase breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose. These monosaccharides obtained with the help of enzymes are then absorbed in the small intestine.

Note: The importance of digestion plays a significant role in breaking down the food into nutrients which helps throughout the body for energy, growth and cell repair.