Explain the small intestine, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain the Small Intestine?

The small intestine is made up of three sections, the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. Bile from the liver and pancreatic enzymes are released into the first section of the small intestine, the duodenum, where most of the overall digestion occurs although it is short - only about 25 cm. Their arrival triggers the production of mucus and the release of digestive enzymes from the glands at the base of projections called villi found in the mucus lining of the intestine. Villi function to expand the exposed surface area of the cell membranes in order to increase the rate of absorption of processed nutrients passing through the digestive tract. Each finger-like villus membrane surface is itself covered with millions of microvilli - even tinier finger-like projections of cell membrane, giving the small intestine a huge surface area for transport of nutrients. Enzymes secreted by the intestinal wall include lipases to split fats into glycerol and fatty acids; peptidases that break proteins down into amino acids; and maltase, lactase, and sucrase, that convert disaccharides into monosaccharides. The products of digestion are delivered to the circulatory system by a process called absorption. Absorption takes place through the villi into capillaries and lymph vessels called lacteals that line the intestine. Fatty acids formed in the interior space or lumen of the intestine diffuse into the mucosa, where triglycerides are synthesized and combined with cholesterol and phospholipids, then coated with protein to form water-soluble chylomicrons, which are carried into the lacteals and eventually into the blood stream near the heart through the large lymph duct called the thoracic duct. The products of digestion of sugars and proteins are carried by the capillaries to the liver, where the glucose is converted to glycogen for storage, and the rest of the nutrients are filtered for detoxification and then distributed by the blood stream to the rest of the body.


Related Discussions:- Explain the small intestine

What are the genotype and phenotype of the unknown male, For Dalmation dog,...

For Dalmation dog, the spotted condition is dominant to non-spotted. a) Using a Punnet square, show a cross between two heterozygous parents. b) A spotted female Dalmation dog is m

What are the hormones secreted by the neurohypophysis, What are the hormone...

What are the hormones secreted by the neurohypophysis? What are their respective functions? The neurohypophysis secretes oxytocin and the antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Oxytoci

Hypertensive emergencies, Hypertensive emergencies should be treated within...

Hypertensive emergencies should be treated within one hour. Hypertensive urgencies may be treated more slowly. The term accelerated malignant hypertension is used when retinal haem

Homomorphic types - intra specific incompatibility, Homomorphic Types - Int...

Homomorphic Types - Intra specific Incompatibility It is characterized by morphologically indistinguishable mating types within a species. A proper breeding is required for th

Hypothermia, Hypothermia As the blood passes through the oxygenato...

Hypothermia As the blood passes through the oxygenator, hypothermia machine allows the blood to cool to the required temperature. Generally, the temperature is brought dow

Making individual rock collections, Making individual rock collections ...

Making individual rock collections Peoples should be encouraged to make their own collection of rocks. Small pasteboard or cigar boxes will serve to be the collections. The spe

How to calculate glycemic index, Q. How to calculate glycemic index? If...

Q. How to calculate glycemic index? If you take a certain rood and measure the rise in blood sugar in response to the food consumed in comparison with the response to an equal

Contrast the reproduction of bacteria with that of frogs, Contrast the repr...

Contrast the reproduction of bacteria with that of frogs. Bacteria replicate asexually by splitting in two. Frogs reproduce sexually by producing sperm and eggs. One sperm and

What are Modes of Nutrition, What is Nutrition? Explain types of nutrition?...

What is Nutrition? Explain types of nutrition? Nutrition - Taking Nutrients from environment Nutrients - Substances which are needed for the sources of chemical potential en

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd