The generalized process of digesting a large meal consists of consumption of food, progression through the digestive tract, absorption of nutrients, and secretion of waste. The process seems far from complex; however, at the cellular level digestion transpires in much more intricate detail. The human body must be supported by organic compounds that provide chemical balance. The steps and regulations of cellular digestion allow for generation of high energy products. Carbohydrates are the essential molecules needed to provide energy by facilitation of chemical reactions that release fuels for the body. The chemical compound responsible for sustaining energy is sugar. Dietary sugars exist at four chemical compositions: monosaccharides, disaccharides,
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Sucrose, also known as table sugar, is a combination of glucose and fructose. Lactose, made from glucose and galactose, is found in milk and other dairy products. Maltose is found in barley and composed of two glucose molecules. Disaccharides combine to make small chains of sugars known as oligosaccharides. Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides associate together and form long chains of repeating units called polysaccharides which are the most predominant form of carbohydrates. Polysaccharides are broken down, modified, and fed into …show more content…
As the smoothie enters the mouth, saliva containing amylases begin the catabolism process by separating polysaccharides into monosaccharides. The breakdown converts the viscous substance into a smooth liquid. Ingestion proceeds with the action of swallowing which transfers the liquid from the mouth through the throat and into the esophagus. Peristalsis begins and guides the liquid into the stomach by a downward contracting motion. The stomach is another major compartment of saccharide modification where amylases, secreted by the pancreas, further break down complex sugars to produce glucose, fructose, galactose and mannose. Absorption takes place when the monosaccharides continue through the digestive tract and reach the small intestine. The small intestine is responsible for the transmission of glucose through the intestinal wall into the blood
Sucrose, also known as table sugar, is a combination of glucose and fructose. Lactose, made from glucose and galactose, is found in milk and other dairy products. Maltose is found in barley and composed of two glucose molecules. Disaccharides combine to make small chains of sugars known as oligosaccharides. Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides associate together and form long chains of repeating units called polysaccharides which are the most predominant form of carbohydrates. Polysaccharides are broken down, modified, and fed into …show more content…
As the smoothie enters the mouth, saliva containing amylases begin the catabolism process by separating polysaccharides into monosaccharides. The breakdown converts the viscous substance into a smooth liquid. Ingestion proceeds with the action of swallowing which transfers the liquid from the mouth through the throat and into the esophagus. Peristalsis begins and guides the liquid into the stomach by a downward contracting motion. The stomach is another major compartment of saccharide modification where amylases, secreted by the pancreas, further break down complex sugars to produce glucose, fructose, galactose and mannose. Absorption takes place when the monosaccharides continue through the digestive tract and reach the small intestine. The small intestine is responsible for the transmission of glucose through the intestinal wall into the blood