Assimilation

Assimilation is the process of incorporating and making use the digested food
into the body. These absorbed food molecules may be stored by the body for
future use broken down to produce energy or used for growth, repair and to
maintain good health.

Monosaccharides (glucose)
This is taken to the liver then to the rest of the body where:

-it is used as respiration:

-excess amounts are converted into glycogen in the liver and stored in liver and
muscle cells.
-excess amounts are converted to fat and stored under the skin or around
organs.

Amino acids
These are taken to the liver and then to the rest of the body where:
-they are used by the body cells for growth and repair
-they are used to make hormones and enzymes:
-excess amounts are converted to glycogen or fat:
-excess amounts are broken down or deaminated in the liver and converted to
urea to be excreted by the kidneys.

Fatty acids
Fat molecules are carried by the lymph to the blood and are;
-stored under the skin and around the organs.
-used to form new membranes in cells and organelles:
-used for respiration in some circumstances.

Functions of the liver

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body as it has many
functions that are essential to keeping the body healthy.

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-carbohydrate metabolism – excess glucose is stored up as glycogen and
reconverted to glucose when blood sugar levels fall. Excess carbohydrate may
also be converted to fat
-lipid metabolism- excess cholesterol is excreted into the bile and removed
from the body.
-protein metabolism- excess amino acids are broken down to form ammonia
and then converted to less toxic substances, urea. Urea is transported to the
kidneys by the blood and excreted in urine.
-production of bile- bile salts are produced and temporarily stored in the gall
bladder. they then travel to the duodenum to aid in digestion.
-storage of vitamins- a number of vitamins are stored in the liver and released
if the diet is deficient in vitamins.
-Storage of minerals- the liver also stores also acts as a store for some essential
minerals, such as iron and potassium. (This is why the liver is a nutritious food).
they can be released into the body if the diet lacks these minerals.
-synthesis of plasma proteins-these important proteins are found in blood
plasma. For example, prothrombin and fibrinogen are needed for blood
clotting.
-detoxification- toxic materials absorbed from the intestines are stored. Broken
down or removed by the liver.
-breakdown of red blood cells – red blood cells are broken down (they live only
for three months) and the iron components may be stored, reused or excreted
as bile pigments.
-production of heat- a lot of metabolic activity occurs in the liver. Which
requires a considerable amount of energy. Much of the energy from
respiration is lost as heat, so the liver generates a lot of heat. In mammals
(including humans) and birds, the liver also plays an important role in keeping
the body at the right temperature inside.

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FOOD: In animals food eaten is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream. The end products of
digestion eventually reach all body cells.
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In plants the food made in photosynthesis in the leaves travels around in phloem tubes and
eventually reaches all body cells.
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OXYGEN:
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In vertebrates oxygen comes from the air that is inhaled into the lungs.. It diffuses into the
bloodstream and is transported to all the body cells.
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In plants some of the oxygen comes from photosynthesis and some through diffusion in through
the leaves and other parts of the plant.

WO TYPES OF RESPIRATION
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1. Aerobic respiration or Tissue respiration

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2. Anaerobic respiration
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AEROBIC RESPIRATION
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Aerobic respiration uses oxygen and it occurs in the mitochondria of cells

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C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + a lot of energy

glucose + oxygen gas = carbon dioxide + water

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During aerobic respiration glucose is broken down completely into carbon dioxide and water.
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At each step in the breakdown of glucose , energy is released.

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