Final answer:
SGLT1 is a glucose and sodium symporter in the small intestine, GLUT2 facilitates bidirectional glucose transport in enterocytes, and GLUT5 is specific for transporting fructose.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distinguishing between SGLT1, GLUT2, and GLUT5 involves understanding their roles in glucose transport within the gut. SGLT1 operates in the small intestine, facilitating the co-transport (symport) of glucose and sodium ions into the cells, which is critical for the absorption of dietary glucose. On the other hand, GLUT2 is a bidirectional transporter found on the basolateral side of enterocytes and it allows for the facilitated diffusion of glucose out of these cells into the bloodstream. GLUT5, distinct from the other two, is responsible for the fructose transport across the membrane of the enterocytes. While GLUT2 and GLUT5 are part of the GLUT family allowing uniport of sugars, SGLT1's capability for symport is a distinguishing characteristic that makes it fundamental for glucose absorption in conjunction with sodium.