Final answer:
The hydrolysis of starch in the small intestine involves the breakdown of starch by pancreatic amylase into maltose, which is then hydrolyzed by maltase into glucose, the primary end product absorbed into the bloodstream.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hydrolysis of Starch in the Small Intestine
The chemical reaction involved in the hydrolysis of starch in the small intestine begins with the starch polymers being broken down by pancreatic amylase, which is secreted into the small intestine. This enzyme specifically targets α-1→4 glycosidic linkages in starch, producing shorter chains called dextrins and ultimately the disaccharide maltose. Maltose is further hydrolyzed by maltase, an enzyme present in the brush border of the small intestine, yielding two glucose molecules as the end products.
The overall hydrolysis reaction can be summarized as follows:
(C6H10O5)n + nH2O → nC6H12O6
Starch (polysaccharide) + Water → Glucose (monosaccharide)
Glucose is the primary end product of starch hydrolysis in the small intestine, which is then absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.