Question

What are the end products of digestion of starch, proteins and fats respectively?

Answer 1

Hint:-Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are the biomolecules that we intake via food. They are the large, macromolecules which cannot be digested in the intact form after a meal. For their absorption in the human body, they are simplified to small monomeric structures in which way they can be digested.

Complete Answer:-Carbohydrates are of three types – monosaccharides (glucose), disaccharides (sucrose), and polysaccharides (starch). Among these, monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and are easily digestible, especially glucose. Polysaccharides and disaccharides are broken down into monosaccharides (glucose, galactose, fructose etc.). They are digested in two locations-
 1. Oral cavity, and
 2. In the small intestine.
The digestive system includes lots of enzymes to implement digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats as well.

The end products of the activities of all these enzymes on starch are mostly glucose. In the Buccal cavity salivary amylase work on starch to produce maltose, isomaltose and alpha-dextrin. These molecules further undergo breakdown for the synthesis and absorption of glucose in blood flow.
Similarly, the end products of proteins are amino acids and of fats are fatty acids and glycerol. The enzymes are very specific for one type of biomolecules at a time.

Note:- These biomolecules are again simplified inside our cells through metabolism. Metabolism is of two types– anabolism or synthesis and catabolism or break down. Digestion refers to catabolism as well as absorption of digested food. Other than starch, proteins and fat, nucleic acids are also simplified in the digestive tract. Their end products include nitrogenous bases and pentose sugar. Deficiency of any of these enzymes may lead to malfunctioning of the digestive system.