Final answer:
The ascending colon itself does not use enzymes but is involved in absorbing water, salts, and vitamins. Digestive enzymes active before the colon process macromolecules: amylase for carbohydrates, proteases and HCl for proteins, and lipases for lipids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The large intestine, specifically the ascending colon, is primarily involved in the absorption of water, salts, and some vitamins from digested material. It does not produce digestive enzymes; however, the digestive process utilizes numerous enzymes to break down macromolecules into their monomeric forms prior to reaching the colon. For carbohydrates, enzymes such as amylase, sucrase, lactase, and maltase facilitate breakdown into simple sugars. Proteins are digested by proteases like pepsin and peptidase, in conjunction with hydrochloric acid (HCl). Lastly, lipids are broken down by lipases. These enzymes are active in earlier parts of the digestive system, such as the mouth, stomach, and small intestine.