Question
Some sugar molecules are absorbed from the small intestine into the blood by active transport. Explain why the rate of absorption of these sugar molecules can depend on the concentration of oxygen in the cells lining the small intestine.
Answer
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Fern
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
The rate of absorption for sugar molecules via active transport in this situation depends on the concentration of oxygen. This is because cellular respiration, a process inducing production of ATP (energy source requisite for active transport), is trigged by oxygen. If oxygen concentration within the small intestinal cells decreases, automatically the ATP production and consequently the absorption rate of sugar molecules will tend to trigger off inadequately.
Explanation
## Step1This question deals with the phenomenon of active transport where energy in the form of ATP, adenosine triphosphate, empowers the transport of molecules across the cell membrane against the concentration gradient. This results in movement from a region of low concentration to an area of high concentration.### Basic principle of Active Transport: It involves transport proteins propelling molecules across the cell membrane, using energy.## Step2The crucial link to understand how oxygen concentration can impact the process lies in cellular respiration.Cellular respiration is a critical process where oxygen is used to break down glucose (a simple sugar) to produce energy, in the form of ATP.When the level of oxygen is high in the cells of the small intestine, cellular respiration is proficiently triggered, thereby adequately producing energy needed for active transport.### Simplified version of Cellular Respiration Formula: \( C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6 H2O +\ Energy (ATP) \)## Step3Using ATPs generated from Cellular Respiration, sugar molecules are then successfully absorbed into the blood from the small intestine through the Active Transport process. ## Final ReviewIf the Oxygen concentration is less within the intestine-lining cells, less ATP will get produced, finding a deficit of energy that can stall the active transport process. Consequently, the solution is, the absorption rate of sugar molecules will depend on the concentration of Oxygen in those cells.