Carbohydrate Digestion
Summary
Understanding carbohydrate digestion and absorption is crucial for the MCAT, focusing on the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into monosaccharides for absorption.
- Digestion begins in the mouth with salivary amylase breaking down complex carbohydrates.
- Pancreatic amylase continues the breakdown process in the GI tract, reducing carbohydrates to disaccharides.
- Brush border enzymes in the small intestine further digest disaccharides into monosaccharides, which are glucose, galactose, and fructose.
- Lactose intolerance is used as an example to illustrate the importance of enzyme presence for the digestion of disaccharides into monosaccharides.
- Key disaccharides include lactose (glucose and galactose), maltose (glucose and glucose), and sucrose (glucose and fructose).
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Carbohydrate Digestion
00:00
The Role of Salivary Amylase
01:42
Pancreatic Amylase and Further Breakdown
00:00
Final Steps with Brush Border Enzymes
