digestion and absorption

Digestion

Digestion – The process of changing food into simple components which the body can absorbDigestive tract or Gastrointestinal tract- where digestion & absorption take placeMouth->esophagus->stomach->small intestine->large intestine

Digestion

Mouth – ingestion of food; chewing (mastication) & swallowing1. Bolus – portion of food swallowed at one time2. Saliva - water, salts, enzymes, mucus secreted by salivary glands to: a. Moisten food & aids swallowing b. Begins carbohydrate digestion

Secretions of Digestion

Digestion
Small Intestine – 3 segments:1. Duodenum – opening from common bile duct secretes fluids from:a. Liver & Gallbladder – bile emulsifies fatb. Pancreas – amylase break down carbohydrate, sodium bicarbonate neutralizes the acidic chyme and lipase2. Jejunum3. Ileuma. Ileocecal valve – sphincter that regulates passage of chyme into large intestine

Absorption & Transport

End-products of digestion:1. CHO >>> Monosaccharides2. Fats >>> Glycerol + fatty acids3. Proteins >>> Amino acids4. Vitamins, minerals & water – no digestion

Absorption

Absorption & Transport
Absorption occurs in the small intestine 1. Wall of small intestine covered with 100s of folds 2. Each fold covered with 1000s of villi 3. Each villi contains 100s of microvilli


Absorption & Transport
Absorbed nutrients enter either the:1. Vascular system – water-soluble nutrients (monosaccharides, amino acids, water-soluble vitamins, minerals, water) enter the blood via the portal vein for transport to the liver

Malabsorption Syndromes

Lactose Intolerance Carbohydrate malabsorption due to a lack of the enzyme lactase that splits lactose into glucose + galactose 1. Incidence assoc. with aging, certain ethnic groups, and G.I. disease or surgery 2. Symptoms include cramping, distention, diarrhea after consuming products containing milk or lactose 3. Lactose-Restricted Diet or enzyme tablets & treated milk are also available