Final answer:
Butyrate (b) is the short-chain fatty acid that serves as a major energy source for the epithelial cells of the colon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major energy source for the epithelial cells of the colon is butyrate (b), which is a short-chain fatty acid. Butyrate is produced by the bacterial fermentation of dietary fibers in the large intestine and plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and function of the colonic epithelium. More Contextual Information is given below:
- Villi, associated with lacteals (b), are small, finger-like projections that line the small intestine and function in nutrient absorption.
- Among fermentation products, penicillin (D) is a product of fungal synthesis and not a direct product of fermentation.
- The cecum (a) is the part of the large intestine that attaches to the appendix.
- The ester formed from the reaction of butyric acid with 2-propanol would have a Lewis structure reflecting the ester linkage between the acid's carboxyl group and the alcohol's hydroxyl group.