enterocyte
Quick Summary
Enterocytes are the primary cells lining the small intestine. Their main role is to absorb nutrients from digested food. These cells have a specialized surface called a brush border, which is covered in microvilli. This structure dramatically increases the surface area available for absorption, estimated to be about 25 times larger. Enterocytes also secrete enzymes like disaccharidase and peptidase, which further break down carbohydrates and proteins into simpler forms that can be absorbed. Specific molecular receptors on the microvilli allow for the selective absorption of particular nutrients at different points along the small intestine.1
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- lactase
…produced by cells known as enterocytes that line the intestinal walls and form the brush border (a chemical barrier through which food must pass to be absorbed). Mutations in the gene that encodes lactase may result in inherited lactase deficiency, which manifests as lactose intolerance, or the inability to digest…
Read More…produced by cells known as enterocytes that line the intestinal walls and form the brush border (a chemical barrier through which food must pass to be absorbed). Mutations in the gene that encodes lactase may result in inherited lactase deficiency, which manifests as lactose intolerance, or the inability to digest…
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human digestive systemProteinsPeptidase activity commences outside the enterocytes (in the mucus and brush border) and continues inside the cell. A different peptidase appears to be involved in each stage of the breakdown of protein to amino acids. Likewise, the transport of different peptides involves different mechanisms. Dipeptides (peptides that release two amino…
Read MorePeptidase activity commences outside the enterocytes (in the mucus and brush border) and continues inside the cell. A different peptidase appears to be involved in each stage of the breakdown of protein to amino acids. Likewise, the transport of different peptides involves different mechanisms. Dipeptides (peptides that release two amino…
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