Question

We eat food, which is composed of all the nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. After digestion, these are absorbed in the form of glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, glycerol etc. What mechanisms are involved in absorption of digested food and water?

• A. Diffusion and osmosis respectively
• B. Osmosis and diffusion respectively
• C. None of the above
• D. Reverse osmosis and facilitated diffusion respectively

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Diffusion is a process in which the molecules intermingle due to their kinetic energy and movement of molecules is from higher concentration to lower concentration. Osmosis is a process in which the water molecules move from lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration through a semi-permeable membrane. Digested food can pass into the blood vessels in the wall of the small intestine through the process of diffusion and water present in the ingested food is absorbed by the process of osmosis.