Question

What part of the gi tract are fats mostly absorbed?

Answer 1

Fats are predominantly absorbed in the small intestine via micelles, then transported as chylomicrons through the lymphatics. Short-chain fatty acids diffuse directly into enterocytes and follow the path of other nutrients into the bloodstream.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fats are mostly absorbed in the small intestine. Dietary fats, together with bile salts and lecithin, form micelles, aiding in transporting fat particles to the enterocytes. Once released from micelles, fats diffuse through the cell membrane, recombine into triglycerides, and are packaged into chylomicrons for transport via lacteals in the lymphatic system.

Short-chain fatty acids, being water soluble, can directly enter the enterocytes and be absorbed into blood capillaries by simple diffusion. Notably, the majority of carbohydrate and protein absorption occurs in the jejunum, whereas lipids and water are primarily absorbed throughout the small intestine. Excess water is absorbed by the large intestine, resulting in the formation of feces.

Answer 2

Fats are mostly absorbed in the small intestine of the GI tract. Bile salts and lecithin help emulsify the dietary fats, forming micelles that carry the fat particles to the surface of enterocytes. From there, the fats are absorbed and reassembled into triglycerides before being mixed with other lipids and proteins into chylomicrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fats are mostly absorbed in the small intestine of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Specifically, about 95 percent of lipids are absorbed in the small intestine. Bile salts and lecithin play a crucial role in the absorption process. They emulsify the dietary fats, forming micelles that carry the fat particles to the surface of enterocytes, which are absorptive cells in the small intestine.

Once the micelles reach the surface of the enterocytes, they release their fats. The fats then diffuse across the cell membrane and are reassembled into triglycerides. These triglycerides, along with other lipids and proteins, are mixed together to form chylomicrons. The chylomicrons can then pass into lacteals, which are vessels in the villi lining the small intestine.