carbohydrate digestion
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biology 3: digestion, evolution, genetics
summary
understanding carbohydrate digestion and absorption is crucial for the mcat, focusing on the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into monosaccharides for absorption.
- digestion begins in the mouth with salivary amylase breaking down complex carbohydrates into smaller units.
- pancreatic amylase continues the breakdown process in the gi tract, reducing carbohydrates to disaccharides.
- brush border enzymes in the small intestine further digest disaccharides into monosaccharides, which are the only form that can be absorbed.
- lactose intolerance is used as an example to illustrate the importance of enzyme activity in carbohydrate digestion, highlighting the inability to break down lactose into glucose and galactose for absorption.
- key monosaccharides and disaccharides are identified, with emphasis on the necessity of memorizing these for the mcat.
chapters
00:00
introduction to carbohydrate digestion
01:42
absorption of monosaccharides