What happens to food molecules during chemical digestion?
Large, insoluble food molecules are broken down into small, soluble molecules.
Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Biology 0970 (Extended) (2026–2028) · 7.4
Revise Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Biology 0970 (Extended) (2026–2028) specification point 7.4, Chemical digestion, with free active-recall flashcards. Flip through the set or review every question and answer below.
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What happens to food molecules during chemical digestion?
Large, insoluble food molecules are broken down into small, soluble molecules.
Why is chemical digestion necessary for absorption?
It produces molecules that can be absorbed from the digestive system.
What does amylase break down, and what does it produce?
It breaks down starch into simple reducing sugars.
Where do the salivary glands secrete amylase?
Into the mouth, where it acts on starch in food.
Where does the pancreas secrete amylase?
Into the small intestine, where it continues starch digestion.
What do proteases break proteins down into during digestion?
Amino acids.
Where are the proteases that act in the stomach secreted?
In the stomach.
Which two organs secrete proteases that act in the small intestine?
The pancreas and the small intestine.