Answer
The small intestine digests the carbohydrate, protein, and fat content of food using a wide range of enzymes. These include bile, lipase, amylase, and protease enzymes. Bile emulsifies fats. Lipase hydrolyzes fats. Amylase begins the digestion of carbohydrates. Pancreatic trypsin, a protease enzyme, begins and intestinal enzymes finish the digestion of proteins and amino acids.
The wall of the small intestine absorbs the sugar, amino acid, glycerol, and fatty acid molecules that were the products of the digestive process.
The mucosa of the small intestine's wall is modified to absorb nutrients. It features a large surface area (approximately the surface area of a tennis court). The mucosa also contains small, fingerlike projections called villi. Villi have an outer layer called microvilli which contain enzymes and complete the digestive process.
Work Step by Step
The small intestine digests the carbohydrate, protein, and fat content of food using a wide range of enzymes. These include bile, lipase, amylase, and protease enzymes. Bile emulsifies fats. Lipase hydrolyzes fats. Amylase begins the digestion of carbohydrates. Pancreatic trypsin, a protease enzyme, begins and intestinal enzymes finish the digestion of proteins and amino acids.
The wall of the small intestine absorbs the sugar, amino acid, glycerol, and fatty acid molecules that were the products of the digestive process.
The mucosa of the small intestine's wall is modified to absorb nutrients. It features a large surface area (approximately the surface area of a tennis court). The mucosa also contains small, fingerlike projections called villi. Villi have an outer layer called microvilli which contain enzymes and complete the digestive process.
