Carbohydrate Digestion exam Flashcards
Carbohydrate Digestion exam
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Where does carbohydrate digestion begin? In the mouth, with the enzyme salivary amylase. Salivary amylase An enzyme in saliva that begins the chemical breakdown of starch into maltose. What happens to carbohydrate digestion in the stomach? It temporarily stops because salivary amylase is inactivated by stomach acid. Pancreatic amylase An enzyme produced by the pancreas that continues starch digestion in the small intestine. What is the main site of carbohydrate digestion and absorption? The small intestine. Enterocytes Cells lining the small intestine that produce enzymes for final carbohydrate digestion. Which enzymes break down disaccharides in the small intestine? Sucrase, lactase, and maltase. What are the end products of carbohydrate digestion? Monosaccharides: glucose, fructose, and galactose. How are monosaccharides absorbed? They are absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine. What happens to fructose and galactose after absorption? They are converted to glucose in the liver. Glycogenesis The process of converting excess glucose into glycogen for storage. Glycogenolysis The breakdown of glycogen to release glucose. Where is glycogen stored in the body? In the liver and skeletal muscles. How does the liver use its glycogen stores? It releases glucose into the bloodstream for use by the whole body. How do skeletal muscles use their glycogen stores? They use glycogen only for their own energy needs during muscle contraction. What happens to excess glucose after glycogen stores are full? It is converted to fat and stored in adipose tissue. Lactose intolerance A condition caused by insufficient lactase, leading to difficulty digesting lactose. What symptoms are associated with lactose intolerance? Gas, bloating, discomfort, and diarrhea. How can lactose intolerance be managed? By limiting lactose intake, using lactose-free products, or taking lactase supplements. Is lactose intolerance the same as a milk allergy? No, lactose intolerance is due to enzyme deficiency, while milk allergy is an immune response. What happens to undigested carbohydrates (fiber)? They move to the large intestine, where some are fermented by bacteria and most are excreted. Maltose A disaccharide made of two glucose molecules. What is the primary goal of carbohydrate digestion? To break down complex carbohydrates into monosaccharides for absorption. Sucrase An enzyme that breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose. Lactase An enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. Maltase An enzyme that breaks down maltose into two glucose molecules. What is glycogen? An animal-based polysaccharide made of glucose, used for energy storage. What is the fate of monosaccharides after absorption? They travel to the liver via the bloodstream. What is the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber? Soluble fiber can be fermented by bacteria in the large intestine; insoluble fiber is mostly excreted. Why does carbohydrate digestion pause in the stomach? Because the acidic environment inactivates salivary amylase.