digestion and absorption Flashcards
Define digestion.
The hydrolysis of large, insoluble molecules into smaller molecules that can be absorbed across cell membranes.
Which enzymes are involved in carbohydrate digestion? Where are they found?
Amylase - mouth.
Maltase, sucrase, lactase - membrane of small intestine.
What are the substrates and products of the carbohydrate digestive enzymes?
Amylase - starch into smaller polysaccharides.
Maltase - maltose into 2x glucose.
Sucrase - sucrose into glucose and fructose.
Lactase - lactose into glucose and galactose.
Where are the lipids digested?
The small intestine.
What needs to happen before lipids can be digested?
Emulsified by bile salts produced in the liver. This breaks down large fat molecules into smaller, soluble molecules called micelles, increasing surface area.
How are lipids digested?
Lipase hydrolyses the ester bond between the monoglycerides and fatty acids.
Which enzymes are involved in protein digestion? What are their roles?
Endopeptidases - break between specific amino acids in the middle of a polypeptide.
Exopeptidases - break between specific amino acids at the end of a polypeptide.
Dipeptidases - break dipeptides into amino acids.
How are certain molecules absorbed into the ileum despite a negative concentration gradient?
Co-transport.
Which molecules require co-transport?
Amino acids and monosaccharides.
Explain how sodium ions are involved in co-transport.
Sodium ions are actively transported out of the cell into the lumen, creating a diffusion gradient. Nutrients are then taken up into the cells along with sodium ions.
Why do fatty acids and monoglycerides not require co-transport?
The molecules are non-polar, meaning they can easily diffuse across the membrane of epithelial cells.
