Intestinal juice

Intestinal juice is a part of the digestive system that plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. It is a clear to pale yellow watery secretion from glands in the intestinal wall.

Composition

The intestinal juice is composed of water, mucus, and a variety of enzymes. These enzymes include peptidase, which breaks down peptides into amino acids; sucrase, maltase, and lactase, which break down sugars; and enterokinase, which activates the pancreatic enzyme trypsin.

Function

The primary function of intestinal juice is to aid in the digestion of food. The enzymes in the juice break down food particles into their simplest forms so that they can be absorbed by the body. The mucus in the juice helps to lubricate the intestinal walls and protect them from the acidic contents of the stomach.

Production

The production of intestinal juice is stimulated by the presence of partially digested food in the intestine. This food stimulates the intestinal walls to secrete the juice. The amount of juice produced can vary, but on average, the human body produces about 1 to 2 liters of intestinal juice per day.

Role in Digestive Disorders

Abnormalities in the production or composition of intestinal juice can lead to digestive disorders. For example, a lack of lactase can lead to lactose intolerance, a condition in which the body cannot properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Similarly, a lack of certain enzymes can lead to malabsorption syndromes, in which the body cannot properly absorb certain nutrients.

See Also

• Digestive system
• Enzymes
• Lactose intolerance
• Malabsorption syndromes

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