ABSORPTION

3-1
Absorption
 The passage of nutrients into the blood or
lymphatic system.
 Nutrients must be in their simplest form.
 Carbohydrates: simple sugars
 Proteins: amino acids
 Fats: fatty acids and glycerol

(continues)
3-2
(continued)

Absorption in the Small Intestine

 Most absorption occurs in the small intestine;
villi, hairlike projections, increase surface
area for maximum absorption.
 Villi absorb nutrients from the chyme and
transfer them to the bloodstream.
 Water is absorbed in the stomach, small
intestine, and large intestine.

3-3
 Absorption in the Large Intestine
The major tasks of the large intestine are to:
 absorb water
 to synthesize some B vitamins and vitamin K
(essential for blood clotting)
 collect food residue.

 Undigested food is excreted as feces by way of

the rectum.
 99% of carbohydrates, 95% of fat, and 92% of
proteins are absorbed.
3-4
Metabolism

3-5
Metabolism
 The transformation of nutrients into energy
within the cell
 Occurs after digestion and absorption;
nutrients are carried by the blood to the
cells of the body
 Aerobic metabolism, or oxidation,
combines nutrients with oxygen within
each cell.
 Anaerobic metabolism reduces fats
without the use of oxygen. (continues)
3-6
(continued)

Metabolism
 The complete oxidation of carbohydrates,
proteins, and fats is commonly called the
Krebs cycle.
 Anabolism is the process of using energy
from oxidation to create new compounds.
 Catabolism is the breakdown of
compounds during metabolism.
 Controlled primarily by hormones secreted
by the thyroid gland: triiodothyronine (T3)
and thyroxine (T4) 3-7
 • What condition is associated with too much
thyroid hormone?
• What condition is associated with too little
thyroid hormone?

3-26 3-8

Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 • What condition is associated with too much
thyroid hormone?
• What condition is associated with too little
thyroid hormone?

3-26 3-9

Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 • Hyperthyroidism: metabolism speeds up and
the body metabolizes its food too quickly;
weight is lost.
• Hypothyroidism: metabolism slows down and
the body metabolizes its food too slowly; client
tends to become sluggish and accumulate fat.

3-27 3-10

Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.