Carbohydrase - GCSE Biology Definition

Carbohydrase is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars, such as glucose. Carbohydrates—found in foods like bread, rice, pasta, and fruit—are large molecules that must be digested into smaller units so the body can absorb and use them for energy. Carbohydrases speed up this digestion process. A common example is amylase, a type of carbohydrase that breaks down starch into maltose. Carbohydrase enzymes are part of the digestive system and help ensure the body can access energy from food. Understanding carbohydrase is important in GCSE Biology when learning about enzymes and the role of digestion.