Absorption (Cambridge O Level Biology)

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Absorbing Nutrients

  • Absorption is the movement of digested food molecules from the digestive system into the blood (glucose and amino acids) and lymph (fatty acids and glycerol)
  • Nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine
  • Absorption can occur by diffusion, osmosis and active transport
  • Absorption is the movement of nutrients from the intestines into cells lining the digestive system and then into the blood

Assimilation

  • Assimilation is the movement of digested food molecules from the blood
  • The molecules pass into the cells of all tissues and organs
    • Where they are used, becoming part of the cells

Absorbing Water

  • Water is absorbed in both the small intestine and the colon, but most absorption of water (around 80%) happens in the small intestine

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Phil

Author: Phil

Phil has a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham, followed by an MBA from Manchester Business School. He has 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience, teaching Biology in schools before becoming director of a growing tuition agency. He has also examined Biology for one of the leading UK exam boards. Phil has a particular passion for empowering students to overcome their fear of numbers in a scientific context.