Question

Identify and explain the major steps by which each of the following macronutrients is digested and absorbed.

A) Carbohydrate
B) Fat
C) Protein

Answer 1

Fat is created by eating more calories then needed for the average person.

Answer 2

Carbohydrates are digested primarily in the mouth and small intestine, while fat is digested in the small intestine and protein is digested in the stomach and small intestine.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth, where an enzyme called amylase begins the breakdown of food starches into maltose. In the stomach, no significant digestion of carbohydrates takes place. The majority of carbohydrate digestion occurs in the small intestine, where pancreatic enzymes break down maltose into glucose.

Fat: Fat digestion begins in the small intestine, where bile salts released by the liver emulsify fat globules into smaller droplets. Pancreatic enzymes called lipases then break down the triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol, which can be absorbed by the small intestine.

Protein: Protein digestion begins in the stomach, where the stomach acid denatures the proteins and the enzyme pepsin starts breaking them down into smaller polypeptides. Further digestion of proteins occurs in the small intestine, where pancreatic enzymes called proteases break down polypeptides into individual amino acids that can be absorbed.