How is food absorbed into the blood?

Food is masticated and broken down, to increase its surface area, in the mouth. Particularly, starch is broken down by the enzyme amylase. An enzyme is a biological catalyst that has an active site and is complementary to one or a small group of molecules. In the case of food digestion, enzymes break down large insoluble molecules into smaller sub units that are soluble to be absorbed into the blood.Further from this the broken down food enters the stomach . Here HCL provide the optimism ph for protease, particularly trypsin to break down proteins into amino acids. The food then enters the duodenum (small intensive) exerts the pancreases and meets with NaHCO3 which helps neutralise the acidity . This is produced in the pancreases along with further protease, carbohydrate and lipase enzymes that cannot work at such acidic pH's. Bile is also related along the bile duct and helps emulsify lipids.
Once broken down food is slowly absorbed in the small intestine by villi- projections on the wall that have a large surface area.Undigested food or excess water passes along the large intestine and is stored in the anus.

Answered by Biology tutor

3647 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

In a healthy person the blood glucose level in the hepatic vein fluctuates much less than that in the hepatic portal vein. Explain why.


Colour blindness is a recessive trait caused by an error in the X chromosome. A couple without color blindness are expecting their second child. Their first child was born colour blind. What is the probability of their second child being colour blind?


Explain Cohesion-Tension Theory


Why is it that an action potential only travels in one direction?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences