Question

What mechanisms are involved in absorption of digested food and water?

Answer 1

Absorption:

It is the process by which the product of digested food passes through the intestinal mucosa into the blood or lymph and is taken up by the body.

The mechanism involved in the absorption of digested food and water:

1. Active transport: In this method, carrier proteins are involved to transport ions or molecules against the concentration gradient.
2. Passive transport: This method involves the transportation of molecules without the use of metabolic energy along the concentration gradient.

• Simple diffusion: In this process, no proteins are involved, and a molecule can simply dissolve the phospholipid bilayer and diffuses through it. For example- O₂, CO₂, and benzene are able to diffuse.
• Facilitated diffusion: In this process, transport proteins are involved to diffuse one molecule along the concentration gradient, for example - carbohydrates, amino acids, and ions diffuse across the plasma membrane.