Session 8 Flashcards
What is the main purpose the the intestines?
To absorb nutrients, water and electrolytes from chyme
How are the intestines adapted for their purpose?
Have a large surface area (Villi)
Contents moves slowly through
What is the structure of the small intestine?
The mucosa is folded in Villi which is separated by the Crypts of Leiberkuhn (Glands in the epithelium, also in the Colon)
How are cells released into the small intestine?
Cells multiply in the Crypts of Leiberkuhn and migrate to the top of the villi (Mature as they go and acquire the capacity to absorb and microvilli to increase the surface area)
Then shed from top of Villus
What forms an unstirred layer in the intestine?
Villi secrete enzymes into the brush border which forms the unstirred layer.
What does the unstirred layer do?
Partially digested nutrients get trapped in it and the enzymes complete digestion. Steadily release the small molecules for absorption.
When can digestion be disturbed?
If the brush border is disturbed then there are less enzymes to digest the nutrients
What is the structure of the 2 parts of Starch?
Amylose has long straight chains with alpha 1,4 bonds
Amylopectin has branches with alpha 1,6 bonds
What enzyme breaks down starch?
Amylase acts on alpha 1,4 bonds yielding Glucose and Maltose from Amyloses.
Cannot get many dextrins from Amylopectin due to it not being able to break the alpha 1,6 bond
What released Amylase?
Salivary amylase in the mouth
Pancreatic amylase in the small intestine
What completes the breakdown of starch?
The enzymes in the brush border of the small intestine. (Maltase breaks Maltose to glucose, isomaltase breaks branched molecules at alpha 1,6 bonds)
How is Glucose absorbed from the lumen of the small intestine?
Active transport up a concentration gradient using energy form the Na/K ATPase. Uses the Na+/Glucose symporter (SGLT1)
How is Fructose and Lactose absorbed from the lumen of the small intestine
Facilitated diffusion not linked to Na+
How does Glucose leaves the luminal cells?
Facilitated diffusion (GLUT2 Transporter)
What is in oral hydration fluid?
Na+ and Glucose because the uptake of Na+ generates an osmotic gradient for water to follow.Glucose uptake stimulates Na+ uptake and generates an osmotic gradient as well.
What are proteins digested into?
Oligopeptides (Which release small peptides and sometimes single Amino Acids)