Adaptation

Villus

Liver

Villi lines the walls of the small intestine to increase surface area to volume ratio. Regulates glucose concentration. After a meal, glucose levels will r
Epithelial cells on villus contain microvilli which helps increase surface area to volume in
ratio.
the blood. The pancreas releases insulin which triggers the liv
Epithelium is one cell thick for faster diffusion per unit time.
convert excess glucose to glycogen. When fasting, glucose levels
Small intestine is long enough to allow time for absorption.
the insulin secretes glucagon which triggers the liver to convert
Villi contain many blood capillaries and one lacteal. Lacteal transports fats away whileglycogen
the bloodto glucose to increase glucose concentration.
capillaries transport sugars and amino acids away. This continual transport allows
a
maintains
Produces bile.
concentration gradient for the quick absorption of simplest basic units.
Breaks down hemoglobin from worn out RBCs to store iron and bile
Synthesizes proteins found in plasma from amino acids which inclu
Absorption
Diffusion is the net movement of particles from a higher concentration to a lower concentration
fibrinogen.
Osmosis is the net movement of water molecules from higher water potential to a Deaminases excess amino acids. Their amino groups are removed
lower water potential across a ppm.
converted to urea where its expelled in urine. Remains are conve
Active transport is the net movement of particles from a lower concentration to a
to glucose. Excess glucose is converted to glycogen.
Converts harmful substances into harmless ones through detoxifica
higher concentration using energy.
Glucose and amino acids are absorbed by diffusion into the blood capillaries of the
villi.
Alcohol is broken down to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase
Glucose and amino acids are also absorbed by active transport when there is a
Acetaldehyde can be broken down to compounds used in respirat
lower concentration of food substances In the small intestine.
Glycerol and fatty acids diffuse into the epithelium where they combine to form fat globules.

Solvent for chemical reactions

Water is absorbed via osmosis in the small and large intestine. Most of the water is absorbed in the ileum.

Lubricants
Mineral salts are absorbed by the small intestine through diffusion.

Medium for dissolved substances

Cool down the body

All digestive and liver enzymes have same properties.

1)Specific in action 2)Required in minute amounts 3)Speed up chemical reactions 4)Affected by temperature and pH
Enzyme is the lock and the substrate is the key. They bind to form a complex and reactions take place to break the substrate down.
The enzyme remains chemically unchanged.
Microvillus

Nutrition in Humans
Carbohydrates

Little starch is digestive by salivary amylase to maltose. Proteins

Fats
Starch is digested by pancreatic amylase to maltose in small
Protein is digested to polypeptides by pepsin in stomach.
Fats is emulsified by bile salts in small intestine.
intestine.
Protein is digested to polypeptides by trypsin in
Emulsified fats are digested to fatty acids + glyce
Maltose is digested by maltase to glucose in small intestine. small intestine
by lipases.
Lactose is digested to glucose + galactose by lactase in Polypeptides are digested to amino acids by erepsin in small intestine. Absorbed basic units of fatty acids and glycerol can b
small intestine.
Absorbed basic units of amino acids can be used for
used for
Sucrose is digested by glucose + fructose by sucrose in small
Synthesis of new protoplasm
Make protoplasm such as cell membranes
intestine.
Synthesis of new enzymes and hormones
Solvent for fat soluble vitamins and hormones
Absorbed basic units of glucose, galactose and fructose can be
Formation of antibodies to combat diseases.
Source and store of energy
used for
Insulating material
Presence of proteins can be tested via Biuret test. NaOH is added to food solution
Respiration to release energy
followed by copper(II) sulphate solution drop by drop
Presence of fats can be tested via Ethanol emulsion te
Conversion to other organic compounds and form nucleic If proteins molecules are present, a violet solution is formed.
Ethanol is added to food solution followed by water.
acids
If short chain polypeptides are present, a pink solution is formed.
Cloudy white emulsion is formed indicating fats.
Synthesis of lubricants.
Presence can be tested via Benedicts test. Benedicts solution is