The Products of Digestion
- After the digested food substances are absorbed through the lining of the small intestine into the blood, the substances are then assimilated into the biological molecules of the body
- For example, glucose can be used to build new large carbohydrates like glycogen, amino acids can build new proteins, and fatty acids and glycerol can build new fats
- Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are all very important parts of a balanced diet because they play essential roles in the body:
Function of carbohydrates, proteins and fats table
| Food type | Function | Sources |
| Carbohydrate | Source of energy. Glucose from carbohydrate digestion acts as a reactant for respiration | Bread, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes |
| Protein | Growth and repair. Allows the building of new proteins in the body such as keratin which is needed to grow new skin cells and hair | Meat, fish, eggs, pulses, nuts |
| Fats | Insulation and energy storage. Fats are a more condensed form of energy storage than carbohydrates however it is more difficult to release the energy | Butter, oil, nuts |
