What is the primary role of digestive enzymes?

The primary role of digestive enzymes is to catalyze biochemical reactions in digestion. These enzymes accelerate the breakdown of complex food molecules into simpler substances that can be absorbed by the body. For example, enzymes like amylase break down carbohydrates, proteases work on proteins, and lipases target fats. By facilitating these chemical reactions, digestive enzymes are essential for transforming food into nutrients that can enter the bloodstream and supply the body with energy and essential building blocks for growth and repair.

When discussing the other options, it's important to note that absorption of nutrients is a separate process that occurs after digestion has taken place, so while nutrients are absorbed in the intestines, it is not the role of enzymes. Mechanical breakdown of food, such as chewing and mixing in the stomach, is also an important part of digestion but is not the function of enzymes themselves; this process is rather physical than chemical. Additionally, while digestive processes can influence metabolic rates, enzymes do not directly regulate these rates; their primary function is specific to the breakdown of food components.