Summary of digestion and absorption

Nutrient

Digestion

Carbohydra
tes

To
monosaccahrides
(glucose,
galactose,
fructose)

SI

Na-dependent co-transport (glucose, galactose)

Facilitated Diffusion (fructose)

Proteins

To amino acids,
dipeptides,
tripeptides

SI

Na-dependent co-transport (amino acids)

H+ dependent co-transport (di- and tripeptides)

Lipids

To fatty acids,
monoglycerides,
cholesterol

SI

Micelles form with bile salts in intestinal lumen

Diffusion of fatty acids, mono glycerides, and
cholesterol into cell
Reesterification in cell to TG and phospholipids
Chylomicrons form in cell (requires apoprotein) and
are transferred to lymph

Fat-soluble
vitamins

SI

Micelles with bile salts

Watersoluble
vitamins
Vit B12

Ileum of
SI

Na-dependent co-transport

Bile acids

Ileum of
SI

Na-dependent co-transport ; recirculated to liver

Ca+

SI

Vit D-dependent Ca binding protein

SI

Binds to apoferritin in cell

Fe+

Site of
absorpti
on

Mechanism of absorption

IF-Vit B12 complex

Fe3+ is reduced to

Steps in food digestion

1

1- Carbohydrates
monosaccharides

---> disaccharides

2- Proteins
acids

--->

3- Lipids
--->
monoglycerides and

peptides

diglycerides

--->

---> amino

--->
fatty acids

Absorption of carbohydrates
Monosaccharides (mostly
glucose) are absorbed
The monomers are
carried by transporter
molecules across the
epithelial cells and into
the blood capillary
present in the villus
portal vein liver

Figure 20.7

Absorption of proteins
Proteins are degraded into amino acids (a.a.)
A.a. are carried by transporter molecules across
the cells and into the blood capillaries portal
circulation liver

Lipid absorption

Lipids (triglycerides) are degraded

to monoglycerides and fattyacids.
They are absorbed into the cell by
diffusion. The cell resynthesizes
triglycerides. Because TG are not
soluble in H2O, the TG are
surrounded with proteins and
packaged into chylomicrons
The chylomicrons are emptied
into lymphatic capillaries, the
lacteal lymph circulation
blood cells and liver