1,362
edits
Changes
Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 10:01, 17 July 2008
, 10:01, 17 July 2008→Function
==Function==
==Function==
'''Water Absorption'''
'''Water Absorption'''
*Chyme entering the large intestine is semisolid. By the time chyme leaves the large intestine as faeces it is solid because most of the remaining water has been absorbed.
*Chyme entering the large intestine is semi solid. By the time chyme leaves the large intestine as faeces it is solid because most of the remaining water has been absorbed.
**Water absorption is achieved by the generation of an osmotic gradient between the gut lumen and the enterocytes. Sodium is actively transported into the enterocyte and is followed passively by chloride ions.
**Water absorption is achieved by the generation of an osmotic gradient between the gut lumen and the enterocytes. Sodium is actively transported into the enterocyte and is followed passively by chloride ions to increase the osmotic potential of the enterocyte.
'''Vitamin Absorption'''
'''Vitamin Absorption'''
*The large intestine is colonised by a large quantity of bacteria that produce vitamins as a consequence of their own metabolism. The large intestine absorbs these vitamins, in addition to vitamins present in the diet.
*The large intestine is colonised by a large quantity of bacteria that produce vitamins as a consequence of their own metabolism. The large intestine absorbs these vitamins, in addition to vitamins present in the diet.