Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Fatty acids and glycerols cannot be absorbed into blood.
Statement II: Specialized lymphatic capillaries called lacteals carry chylomicrons into lymphatic vessels and ultimately into the blood.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect
• D. Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine the correctness of the given statements, we need to understand the physiological processes involved in the absorption of digested fats.

Statement I: Fatty acids and glycerols cannot be absorbed into blood.

Fatty acids and glycerols, the breakdown products of dietary fats, are indeed not directly absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead, they are absorbed into the intestinal cells, where they are re-esterified to form triglycerides. These triglycerides are then packaged into chylomicrons for transport.

Statement II: Specialized lymphatic capillaries called lacteals carry chylomicrons into lymphatic vessels and ultimately into the blood.

This statement is correct. Chylomicrons are lipoprotein particles that are too large to enter blood capillaries directly. Therefore, they enter the lymphatic system through lacteals, which are specialized lymphatic capillaries found in the villi of the small intestine. Ultimately, chylomicrons are transported through the lymphatic system into the thoracic duct, and from there, they enter the bloodstream.

Based on this understanding, the correct conclusion is that both statement I and Statement II are correct.