Learn in your language
Skip to content
IGCSE · Cambridge (CIE) · 0653

Locate protease and lipase secretion and action

Use stomach and pancreatic sources without confusing their destinations.

Section B7.4 · Chemical digestion

Chemical digestion · Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science 0653 · B7.4

Cross-referenced to the 2028–2029 0653 section using original teaching from the related single-science courses. A 0653-specific objective-by-objective and Core/Supplement review is in progress. Written practice is self-checked and does not demonstrate supervised laboratory competence or award an official Cambridge grade.

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.

Sources for this lesson

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.

Test this topic →

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.

Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.

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 Science — Combined

Course scope and assessment

This pathway maps all 121 detailed subject-content sections in the published 0653 syllabus for exams in 2028 and 2029. It adapts original lessons from the related single-science pathways and keeps Combined Science's narrower scope: Biology B1–B16, Chemistry C1–C12 and Physics P1–P5. A 0653-specific objective-by-objective review, Core/Supplement audit, human subject-teacher review, supervised laboratory experience and cumulative assessment remain in progress. Written practice is self-checked and does not predict an official grade. The separate 2025–2027 syllabus has not been reconciled here; choose the 2028–2029 syllabus only.

StudyForA · Learn with understanding

Original teaching content and links to official sources. Check your exam year and qualification before using a resource.