ducts of triglyceride digestion as they pass into the cells of the intestinal m

Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap Course List)
9th Edition
ISBN:9781285866932
Author:Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:Lauralee Sherwood
Chapter16: The Digestive System
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 5RE
icon
Related questions
Question
  1. What happens to the products of triglyceride digestion as they pass into the cells of the intestinal mucosa?
Expert Solution
Step 1Introduction

Fats

  • includes oil, waxy like substances.
  • They are non-polar and hydrophobic in nature
  •  Fats or triglycerides are esters of glycerol in which one molecule of glycerol is esterified with 3 molecules of fatty acids. Triglycerides are the most abundant of all the lipids.
  • A fatty acid is a long-chain carboxylic acid. It has one carboxyl group to which attached long-chain (4-30 carbon) hydrocarbon tail. 
  • They are sparingly soluble in water. 
  • They are odorless, colorless, and have a bland taste.
  • Fats containing saturated fatty acids are solid at room temperature. 
  • Their specific gravity is less than 1, hence they float on water. 
  • Upon reaction with alkali, fats form soap. This is known as saponification. 

 

Functions of the lipids in the body

  • Structural components: They are the vital constituent of the cell membrane. The most abundant lipids in the membrane are phospholipids. 
  • Heat insulators: They provide insulation against cold in animals living in colder areas. 
  • Hormone synthesis: Cholesterol is used to synthesize hormones like adrenocorticoids, sex hormones, cholic acids, Vitamin D, etc.
  • Vitamin carriers: Lipids act as carriers of fat-soluble vitamins

 

Step 2 Background information

Digestion

The digestive system comprises organs responsible for digestion or breaking of complex macromolecules in a diet into simpler ones so that it can be easily available to all parts of the body.

  • The digestive system is made up of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small and large intestine, rectum, and anus. 
  • Various enzymes and fluids help in the digestion of food in the gastrointestinal tract. 

 

Major Goal of fat digestion 

  • Lipids are hydrophobic large molecules, hence before absorption into the intestinal epithelium, they are emulsified. Bile helps in the emulsification of lipids by increasing their surface area so that they can be easily broken down by lipases and converted into micelles or chylomicrons so that they can be easily transported through the bloodstream to different parts of the body. 
  • After digestion, it is stored in the adipose tissues of the skin and provides energy for various months. Lipids provide double the amount of energy liberated by the oxidation of carbohydrates. Glycogen can provide energy only for 2 days. 

Bile 

  • Bile is a greenish-yellow fluid secreted by the liver which helps in the digestion of fats.
  • Bile consists of bile salts, bile pigments (bilirubin and biliverdin), fats, and inorganic salts.   
  • In a fasting state, it is concentrated in the gall bladder but ejected into the duodenum of the small intestine upon eating. 

Chylomicrons 

  • Chylomicrons are the lipoproteins that help in the transportation of digested triglycerides from the intestine to different parts of the body because digested triglycerides are non-polar molecules that can not be transported as such from the intestine into the bloodstream. 
  • They act as a vehicle for the transportation of digested triglycerides to skeletal muscles, adipose tissues, and dietary cholesterol to the liver for their further metabolic oxidation. 
  • Chylomicrons consist of digested triglycerides (85%), cholesterol (1-3%), Phospholiids (10%), proteins (1-2%). 

 

 

steps

Step by step

Solved in 4 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Regulation and Motivation
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biochemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap …
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap …
Biology
ISBN:
9781285866932
Author:
Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781938168130
Author:
Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark Womble
Publisher:
OpenStax College
Body Structures & Functions
Body Structures & Functions
Biology
ISBN:
9781285695495
Author:
Scott
Publisher:
Cengage
Body Structures & Functions Updated
Body Structures & Functions Updated
Biology
ISBN:
9780357191606
Author:
Scott
Publisher:
Cengage
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:
9781305112100
Author:
Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Essentials of Pharmacology for Health Professions
Essentials of Pharmacology for Health Professions
Nursing
ISBN:
9781305441620
Author:
WOODROW
Publisher:
Cengage