Question

Fats are absorbed by ________ in the form of a ________

(a) micelles, lacteal

(b) lacteal, enterocytes

(c) enterocytes, micelles

(d) micelles, enterocytes

The question was asked at a job interview.

Origin of the question is Anatomy and Physiology of G.I.T. topic in section Gastroenterology of Clinical Science

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) enterocytes, micelles

Easiest explanation: The fats in their digested state consist of free fatty acids, monoglycerides, cholesterol and lysolipids. They cannot be absorbed directly by the enterocytes of the villi. Thus, the digested fats are encapsulated into small balls of bile which allow them to enter the villi and get absorbed by the enterocytes. These enterocytes have microvilli to allow better absorption. On entering the enterocytes, monoglycerides, cholesterol and lysolipids react with 2 units of Fatty acids to form these enter the lacteals, a part of the lymphatic system.  From here, they can enter blood as needed.