LAB

PRACTICE 2-SECOND TERM

THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: INTESTINAL ABSORPTION

INTRODUCTION
Absorption of simple glucids, fatty acids and amino acids takes place primarily in the
small intestine. However, larger molecules like starch (a long carbohydrate) cannot be
absorbed. Therefore, it is necessary a previous digestion to transform it into simple
molecules like monosaccharides. Saliva contains enzymes that initiate the digestive
process of starch by breaking down it into maltose and glucose.

OBJECTIVE
Demonstrate that digestive enzymes break down macromolecules.

MATERIALS
Small intestine, saliva, starch (10%), water, hydrochloric acid, pipette, beakers,
Fehlings solution.

METHODS
1. Prepare two solutions: starch at 10% and glucose at 10%
2. Collect 3 mL of saliva
3. Prepare the following solutions:

TUBE 1 TUBE 2 TUBE 3 TUBE 4 TUBE 5
Glucose
10%
P P

Starch 10%
P
P
P
Saliva
P
P
HCl
P
Place into
small

P P P P
intestine

 4. Place solution 2 and 3 into two different pieces of small intestine using the
pipette. Then, tie the intestine like a bag.
5. Place the samples into two different beakers with water at 35C during 25
minutes.
6. Clean the tubes you have used in step 3
7. Take 3 mL of each sample and place them into 5 different tubes.
8. Add 1mL of Fehling solution A and 1 mL of solution B. Then, boil them.

CUESTIONS

1. Represent your results
2. Explain why do you need tube 1 and 2.
3. Explain the difference between tube 3, 4 and 5.
4. lugols iodine solution allows to detect long carbohydrates. What will happen if
you add it into each tube? Explain your results.
5. The interior surface of the cylindrical tube is equal to the length of the
perimeter multiplied by the length of the tube: S=2rlength. What is the
surface of the small intestine? Measure the radius and the length.