Which of the following is FALSE regarding carbohydrate digestion and absorption?


Carbohydrates are broken into monosachrides prior to absorption

The removal of sodium and monosachrides from the intestinal lumen favors water secretion

Monosachrides are primarily absorbed via co-transport with sodium as part of a secondary active transport mechanism

The breakdown of carbohydrates is facilitated by the enzyme amylase, which is secreted by both the salivary glands and the pancreas

The answer is b

The FALSE statement regarding carbohydrate digestion and absorption is: "The removal of sodium and monosachrides from the intestinal lumen favors water secretion."

To determine which statement is FALSE regarding carbohydrate digestion and absorption, let's analyze each statement:

1. Carbohydrates are broken into monosaccharides prior to absorption: This statement is TRUE. Carbohydrates such as starches and disaccharides need to be broken down into monosaccharides (simple sugars) before they can be absorbed by the body.

2. The removal of sodium and monosaccharides from the intestinal lumen favors water secretion: This statement is TRUE. During absorption, the movement of sodium and monosaccharides from the intestinal lumen into the cells lining the intestine can create an osmotic gradient. This gradient causes the movement of water into those cells and can potentially lead to water secretion.

3. Monosaccharides are primarily absorbed via co-transport with sodium as part of a secondary active transport mechanism: This statement is TRUE. The primary mechanism for the absorption of monosaccharides in the small intestine is through co-transport with sodium ions. This process is an example of secondary active transport, where the energy stored in the sodium ion gradient is used to transport both sodium and monosaccharides across the intestinal epithelium.

4. The breakdown of carbohydrates is facilitated by the enzyme amylase, which is secreted by both the salivary glands and the pancreas: This statement is TRUE. Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates (starches) into smaller molecules such as maltose. It is secreted by both the salivary glands (salivary amylase) and the pancreas (pancreatic amylase).

Therefore, the FALSE statement regarding carbohydrate digestion and absorption is: "The removal of sodium and monosaccharides from the intestinal lumen favors water secretion."