Chapter 25.6, Problem 1AYLO

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The steps in carbohydrate digestion from mouth to small intestine; the enzymes involved at each step and their respective contribution to carbohydrate hydrolysis.

Introduction:

The process of chemical digestion and nutrient absorption is complete when the food residues move to the cecum and exit the small intestine. There are major nutrients that are digested chemically and absorbed in the small intestine; they are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The most common digestible carbohydrate is starch. The starch is first converted to glucose (oligosaccharide), which is then converted to maltose (disaccharide), then maltose is converted to glucose, which is absorbed by the small intestine.