Question

Fat absorption through the plasma membrane of epithelial cells ________.

A) Is accomplished by cotransporters that use the concentration gradient of Na+ outside of the cells
B) requires vesicular, active transport of the relatively large fatty acids and monoglyceride
C) occurs by simple diffusion because lipids are able to penetrate the hydrophobic fatty acid tails within the plasma membrane
D) requires enzymes attached to the brush border to further breakdown the fats

Answer 1

C) occurs by simple diffusion because lipids are able to penetrate the hydrophobic fatty acid tails within the plasma membrane

Step-by-step explanation:

After digestion of lipids, monoglycerides and fatty acids associate with bile salts and phopholipids to form micelles. Micelles are structures that are necessary for the transport the poorly soluble monoglycerides and fatty acids to the surface of the enterocyte. But, micelles cannot be absorbed by epithelial cell, only freely dissolved monoglycerides and fatty acids can. Free fatty acids and monogycerids can just diffuse across the plasma membrane because of their nonpolar nature.

Some absorption (e.g. for cholesterol) may be facilitated by specific transport proteins.