How do carbohydrates reach cells?

Answer 1

In relatively simple terms. Carbohydrates are broken down by a certain protein called amalyse, which is an enzyme. These enzymes are secreted through glands in under the tongue and sent from the pancreas into the stomach. Most of this digestion takes place in the stomach. The carbohydrates are then broken into smaller molecules called monosaccharides and polysaccharides. Examples of each are glucose (monosaccharide) and maltose (polysaccharide). I'll use glucose as the example. When carbohydrate breaks down into glucose it is a lot smaller. These small particles travel down the small intestine. Some larger particles are broken down further at the duodenum. When glucose reaches the illeum microscopic villi absorb the glucose into the blood stream. It is the blood (more so the plasma in the blood) the carries the glucose to the desired cells, where it can be used for energy during respiration. But in all technicality carbohydrates never get any further than the doudenum! They are too big to be absorbed by cells in any animal!