Biological Sciences

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Digestion, absorption, and metabolism of dietary fats with triglyceride breakdown and transport.

Illustration of fat digestion and metabolism showing triglycerides broken down in the small intestine, absorbed by intestinal mucosa cells, transported as chylomicrons, and stored in fat cells or used for energy in muscle cells.

This detailed biological illustration explains the digestion, absorption, transport, and metabolism of dietary fats. It shows how triglycerides from food are emulsified by bile acids in the small intestine, hydrolyzed by lipase enzymes, and absorbed by intestinal mucosa cells. The triglycerides are packaged into chylomicrons and transported via the lymphatic system and bloodstream to fat cells and muscle cells. In fat cells, fatty acids are stored as triglycerides, while in muscle cells, they undergo β-oxidation to produce ATP for energy.

This illustration provides a comprehensive overview of fat metabolism, making it ideal for biology textbooks, nutrition courses, e-books, and scientific articles on lipid digestion and metabolism.

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Network Graphics / Division of Abramson & Wickham Graphics Inc.
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