What are the four main nutrient molecules that make up food?

There are 4 (four) basic food energy sources: fats, proteins, carbohydrates and alchol.

Which nutrients can be broken down?

The body uses three main nutrients to function— carbohydrate, protein, and fat. These nutrients are digested into simpler compounds. Carbohydrates are used for energy (glucose). Fats are used for energy after they are broken into fatty acids.

What is the main nutrient broken down for energy?

Carbohydrates or sugars are the primary source of organic carbons in the animal body. During digestion, digestible carbohydrates are ultimately broken down into glucose and used to provide energy through metabolic pathways.

What are nutrient molecules?

Nutrients are molecules in food that all organisms need to make energy, grow, develop, and reproduce. Nutrients are digested and then broken down into basic parts to be used by the organism. The two types of micronutrients are vitamins and minerals, and these are extra molecules that cells need to make energy.

Where are the components of food broken down?

Almost all the components of food are completely broken down to their simplest unit within the first 25 centimeters of the small intestine. Instead of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, the chyme now consists of amino acids, monosaccharides, and emulsified fatty acids.

Where does the absorption of nutrients take place?

And, of course, the actual process of absorption takes place in the ileum, which is the lowest portion of the small intestine. Together, the digestive organs break food into smaller molecules, extract the useful nutrients, and distribute the energy through the bloodstream to keep the body alive and running.

How are carbohydrates broken down in the digestive system?

Digestion of carbohydrates: Digestion of carbohydrates is performed by several enzymes. Starch and glycogen are broken down into glucose by amylase and maltase. Sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk sugar) are broken down by sucrase and lactase, respectively. A large part of protein digestion takes place in the stomach.

How are nutrients transported through the digestive system?

The digested nutrients pass through the absorptive cells of the intestine via diffusion or special transport proteins.