Explain how assimilation is different from absorption.
Answers
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The key difference between absorption and assimilation is that absorption is the process of taking the digested simple molecules into bloodstream/lymph from the intestinal villi and microvilli while assimilation is the process of synthesizing new compounds from the absorbed molecules. Humans are heterotrophs
Answer:
The key difference between absorption and assimilation is that absorption is the process of taking the digested simple molecules into bloodstream/lymph from the intestinal villi and microvilli while assimilation is the process of synthesizing new compounds from the absorbed molecules.
What is Absorption?
Absorption is the process of taking the digested simple molecules into the bloodstream/lymph via the intestinal villi and microvilli. Hence, absorption takes place in the small intestine. Ingested foods by mouth undergo both mechanical and chemical digestion. Likewise, this occurs at different locations in the digestive tract. Mechanical digestion mainly occurs in the buccal cavity due to the grinding of food by teeth and mixing of it by the tongue. Along with the mechanical digestion, chemical digestion also begins at the mouth. Here, carbohydrates get partially digested due to the action of ptyalin enzyme. Likewise, through the series of enzymatic reactions occurring in digestion, macromolecules break down into simple molecules in order to facilitate absorption.
What is Assimilation?
Assimilation is the process of synthesizing new compounds from the absorbed molecules from the small intestine. Once the molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream, they are transported and distributed to every cell in the body. Therefore, assimilation involves the conversion and integration of these molecules with the living tissues. It could also be termed as the development of macromolecules through simple absorbed molecules.
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