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IGCSE · Cambridge (CIE) · 0610

Locate protease and lipase secretion and action

Use stomach and pancreatic sources without confusing their destinations.

Chemical digestion pathway · 7.4

Core and Extended; Biology 0610, 2026–2028. Use the stated specimen features and evidence. Diagrams are schematic. Written practice is self-checked

Before you begin

  • Recall large and small nutrient molecules, cell membranes and enzyme specificity.
  • Use the stated diagram keys and evidence; models are not to scale.

Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.

Quick readiness check

Which source supplies a protease to the stomach contents?

What you will learn

  • Use stomach and pancreatic sources without confusing their destinations.
  • State major secretion/action routes while keeping minor physiological roles outside the model.
Major school-level map: salivary amylase acts in mouth; gastric protease in stomach; pancreatic amylase/protease/lipase in small intestine. Membrane-associated maltase is a separate Extended step.Source is separate from actionsiteSalivary glands → mouthAmylase acts on starchStomach glands → stomachGastric protease acts onproteinPancreas → small intestineAmylase · protease · lipase
Major school-level map: salivary amylase acts in mouth; gastric protease in stomach; pancreatic amylase/protease/lipase in small intestine. Membrane-associated maltase is a separate Extended step.

Protein pathways at two major regions

The stomach secretes a protease in gastric juice, supporting protein digestion there. The pancreas supplies proteases to the small intestine. Additional intestinal enzymes help complete the overall protein pathway.

For Core, distinguish the stomach source/action region from the pancreas source → small-intestine action route. The Extended sequence names pepsin and trypsin and their different conditions.

Lipid digestion in the small intestine

The pancreas supplies lipase to the small intestine, where it acts on fats and oils. Bile enters the duodenum by a different route and helps present lipid substrate and suitable conditions.

Some enzymes have additional sources or minor roles in detailed physiology. This teaching map names the major school-level routes rather than claiming there are no other enzymes anywhere. Secreted enzyme, canal region and product must remain separate.

Pause and explain

Which source/action pair fits the major lipase route?

Put the idea to work

Worked example

A source table lists pancreas → small intestine for protease and lipase. Explain both substrates and products.

Show the worked solution
  1. Pancreatic proteases contribute to protein breakdown.
  2. Pancreatic lipase acts on fats/oils.
  3. Keep amino-acid and lipid products separate.

Answer Protease pathway: protein to amino acids overall; lipase pathway: fats/oils to fatty acids and glycerol overall.

Try a topic test

Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.

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From guided practice to a new situation

Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.

1 · Guided

State the major Core protease source/action pairs and lipase source/action pair.

Give me a hint

Use stomach and pancreas separately.

Compare my reasoning
  1. Stomach protease → stomach.
  2. Pancreatic proteases → small intestine.
  3. Pancreatic lipase → small intestine.

Stomach protease acts in stomach; pancreatic protease and lipase act in small intestine.

Look for these in your work

  • Both protease routes.
  • Lipase route.
2 · Independent

An enzyme is delivered through a pancreatic duct. Does that mean the food must pass through the pancreas?

Give me a hint

Secretion and food routes differ.

Compare my reasoning
  1. Enzyme moves from pancreas to canal.
  2. Food travels through canal.

No; pancreatic secretion enters the small intestine while food stays in the alimentary canal.

Look for these in your work

  • Correct direction.
  • Separate routes.
3 · Transfer

A label groups bile and lipase as “two pancreatic digestive enzymes”. Correct it.

Give me a hint

Check source and substance type.

Compare my reasoning
  1. Lipase is an enzyme supplied mainly by pancreas.
  2. Bile is made by liver and stored in gallbladder.
  3. Bile is not an enzyme.

Lipase is a pancreatic digestive enzyme; bile is a liver-produced mixture stored in the gallbladder.

Look for these in your work

  • Source corrections.
  • Enzyme distinction.

Common mistakes

  • Bile duct and pancreatic enzyme source are distinct.
  • The map describes major routes, not every physiological enzyme.
Recall without your notes

What can you explain now?

Which source/action pair fits the major lipase route?

Compare with the explanation

Pancreas → small intestine.

The secretion reaches the lipid substrate there.

After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.

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Make it stick

Explain why a pancreas-to-intestine arrow carries secretion rather than swallowed food.

If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.

Keep learning Biology

Course scope and assessment

780 sequenced lessons provide 2340 guided, independent and application problems in characteristics, classification, cells, organisation, specimen size, membrane transport, biological molecules, enzymes, plant and human nutrition, plant transport, circulatory systems, the heart, blood vessels, blood, disease transmission, body defences, immunity, gas exchange in humans, respiration energy uses and investigations, aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration and recovery, excretion in humans, coordination and response, sense organs, hormones, homeostasis, tropic responses, drugs, asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction, sexual reproduction in plants, sexual reproduction in humans, sex hormones in humans, sexually transmitted infections, chromosomes, genes and proteins, mitosis, meiosis, monohybrid inheritance, variation, adaptive features, selection, energy flow, food chains and webs, nutrient cycles, population, community, ecosystem, population-growth phases, food supply, habitat destruction, pollution, conservation, biotechnology and genetic modification. 61 of 61 syllabus sections have linked teaching and staged practice. The earlier inheritance overview remains introductory, and the monohybrid pathway develops the relevant Core and Supplement requirements. This is not full programme completion or guaranteed exam readiness. Written practice is self-checked.

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