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

Agro industrial-calcium, Calcium   The calcium content in forages is affe...

Calcium   The calcium content in forages is affected by species, plant part (leaf versus stem), plant maturity, soil content of calcium and climate. Forages are usually a good so

Nucleus, Nucleus - Largest component of the cell. Nucleus is doub...

Nucleus - Largest component of the cell. Nucleus is double membrane bound dense protoplasmic body that controls cellular metabolism, enclose all the genetic information,

Viruses, what is the basic structure of a virus?

what is the basic structure of a virus?

What is the full chemical equation of photosynthesis, Q. What is the full c...

Q. What is the full chemical equation of photosynthesis? The full chemical equation of photosynthesis is given below: 6 CO 2 + 12 H 2 O + light --> C 6 H 12 O 6    + 6 H 2

How are gametes formed in the pteridophyte life cycle, How are gametes form...

How are gametes formed in the pteridophyte life cycle, by mitosis or meiosis? What is the type of meiosis that occurs in pteridophytes? In pteridophytes gametes are made by mit

Explain zipping of the apical canal, Explain Zipping of the Apical Canal ...

Explain Zipping of the Apical Canal a. If the preparation is continued with progressively larger and stiffer file lead to : zipping perforation or tear apical foramen.

State long-term benefits of exercise, State four long-term benefits of exer...

State four long-term benefits of exercise. The long-term advantages of exercise are: a) Enhance in size of the muscles used, b) Decrease of heart rate and c)  Enhance

Determine the types of neuropsychology, Determine the types of neuropsychol...

Determine the types of neuropsychology The practise in neuropsychology is roughly divided into two approaches. Some practitioners use standard comprehensive neuropsychological

Explain about gelation, Gelation Agar gels can be formed in very dilute...

Gelation Agar gels can be formed in very dilute solutions containing a fraction of 1% agar. In fact gelation is perceptible at concentrations as low as 0.04%. These gels are ri

How to compare and contrast acids, Compare and contrast acids and bases in ...

Compare and contrast acids and bases in terms of their H+ ion and OH- ion concentrations.

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