Carb Digestion

Question 1

How are carbohydrates digested in the mouth?

Answer 1

Some starch is broken down to maltose by salivary amylase.

Question 2

How are carbohydrates digested in the stomach?

Answer 2

Salivary amylase is inactivated by strong acid in the stomach. No further digestion occurs in the stomach.

Question 3

How are carbohydrates digested in the pancreas?

Answer 3

Enzymes (amylases) from the pancreas that are secreted into the small intestine break down starch into maltose.

Question 4

How are carbohydrates digested in the small intestine?

Answer 4

Enzymes in the fall of the small intestine break down the disaccharides sucrose, lactose, and maltose into monosaccharides glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Question 5

How are carbohydrates digested in the liver?

Answer 5

Absorption of glucose, fructose, and galactose into the blood to be taken to the liver via a portal vein, and then all converted to (functional) glucose.

Question 6

How are carbohydrates digested in the large intestine?

Answer 6

Viscous fiber is fermented into various acids and gases by bacteria in the large intestine.

Question 7

How are carbohydrates digested in the rectum and anus?

Answer 7

Nonfermentable fiber escapes digestion and is excreted in feces, but little other dietary carbohydrate remains.