Chapter 22: Problem 33
What are the major monosaccharide products produced by digestion of carbohydrates?
Short Answer
Expert verified
The major monosaccharides are glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Step by step solution
01
Understand Carbohydrate Digestion
Carbohydrates are broken down by enzymes into simpler sugars, which are monosaccharides, that can be absorbed by the body. Digestion begins in the mouth with salivary amylase and continues in the small intestine with pancreatic amylase and other enzymes.
02
Identify Major Enzymes and Actions
In the small intestine, the enzyme amylase breaks down polysaccharides into disaccharides. Then, other enzymes like maltase, sucrase, and lactase further break down the disaccharides into monosaccharides.
03
List the Monosaccharide Products
The primary monosaccharides produced from the enzymatic digestion of carbohydrates are glucose, fructose, and galactose. These are the basic building blocks absorbed into the bloodstream.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Monosaccharides
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and consist of single sugar molecules. These small molecules are easily absorbed into the bloodstream, making them a vital source of energy.
Some common monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Each of these plays a special role in our metabolism:
Some common monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Each of these plays a special role in our metabolism:
- Glucose: It's the primary energy source for our body and is often referred to as "blood sugar." It's crucial for brain function.
- Fructose: Found naturally in fruits and honey, fructose is sweeter than glucose and also used commercially as an artificial sweetener.
- Galactose: Usually linked with glucose to form lactose, found in milk and dairy products. Once absorbed, galactose is converted into glucose in the liver.
Enzymes in Digestion
Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions, and in digestion, they work to break down complex food molecules into simpler forms. Carbohydrate digestion heavily relies on these enzymes to efficiently turn polysaccharides into absorbable monosaccharides.
The process mainly involves two stages:
The process mainly involves two stages:
- Initial breakdown of polysaccharides into disaccharides like maltose, sucrose, and lactose.
- Further breakdown of disaccharides into monosaccharides by specific enzymes: maltase acts on maltose, sucrase on sucrose, and lactase on lactose.
Salivary Amylase
Salivary amylase is one of the first enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion. It is produced by the salivary glands and starts digesting food right in the mouth. While chewing, salivary amylase begins breaking down starches into smaller units called maltose.
This initial step is critical as it prepares the carbohydrates for easier digestion in the subsequent stages. However, salivary amylase is only active in the mouth and esophagus. Its action stops in the acidic environment of the stomach, signifying the importance of starting digestion early.
This initial step is critical as it prepares the carbohydrates for easier digestion in the subsequent stages. However, salivary amylase is only active in the mouth and esophagus. Its action stops in the acidic environment of the stomach, signifying the importance of starting digestion early.
Pancreatic Amylase
Pancreatic amylase continues the work of digestion after the food reaches the small intestine. It is produced by the pancreas and released into the small intestine, where it reactivates the breakdown process initiated by salivary amylase.
Pancreatic amylase specifically targets complex carbohydrates that survived the initial phase and converts them into disaccharides. This action is necessary to ensure that carbohydrates are broken down into monosaccharides before they can be absorbed through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream. This enzyme plays a crucial role in efficient carbohydrate digestion, as it works in a more neutral pH environment compared to the stomach.
Pancreatic amylase specifically targets complex carbohydrates that survived the initial phase and converts them into disaccharides. This action is necessary to ensure that carbohydrates are broken down into monosaccharides before they can be absorbed through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream. This enzyme plays a crucial role in efficient carbohydrate digestion, as it works in a more neutral pH environment compared to the stomach.