Carbohydrate Digestion & Absorption
What is a monosaccharide?
A one sugar molecule
What is a disaccharide?
A two sugar molecule
What happens to the sugars in the mucosal cells?
Nothing, they just diffuse into the bloodstream.
What is the source of amylase?
Pancreas
What is the source of disaccharidases?
Pancreas
What does the brain use glucose for?
Energy
What does muscle use glucose for?
Energy, store as glycogen.
What does the liver do to maintain blood sugar levels when the glycogen storage runs out?
Gluconeogenesis
What is the storage form of glucose?
Glycogen
What major vein do the sugars enter after the mucosal cells?
Hepatic portal vein
What happens to the sugars after the small intestine?
They absorbed into the mucosal cells.
What happens to starches in the small intestine?
They are broken down into disaccharides and then into monosaccharides.
What happens to the sugars when they are brought into the liver?
They are converted to glucose as they are brought in.
What does adipose tissue use glucose for?
Used to synthesize fat and converted into fat.
When fasting, about how long can the liver maintain proper blood sugar levels with the glycogen that is has stored?
12 hours
What enzyme breaks down starches into disaccharides?
Amylase
How are sugars absorbed into the mucosal cells?
Co-transport via Na+ carrier molecule.
What is gluconeogenesis?
Converting amino acids into glucose for energy.
What enzymes group breaks disaccharides down into monosaccharides (sugars)?
Disaccharidases
Where do sugars go after they enter the blood stream?
Liver
What two tissue or organs store glucose as glycogen?
Liver & muscle
Where does carbohydrate digestion begin?
Small intestine
What is another name for carbohydrates?
Starches
What does the liver do with glucose?
Stores it or sends it back into the bloodstream to travel to the muscle, brain, and adipose tissue.
What are some examples of disaccharidases?
Sucrase, lactase, maltase.
