Question

Short- and medium-chain fatty acids are transported to the liver in the ------------, whereas long-chain fatty acids are circulated away from the small intestine in the __________.

Answer 1

Short-chain fatty acids are transported to the liver in the lymphatic system, whereas long-chain fatty acids are circulated away from the small intestine in the bloodstream.

Step-by-step explanation:

Short-chain fatty acids are transported to the liver in the lymphatic system, whereas long-chain fatty acids are circulated away from the small intestine in the bloodstream.

Answer 2

Short- and medium-chain fatty acids are transported to the liver directly through the portal circulation, while long-chain fatty acids are assembled into chylomicrons and transported via the lymphatic system.

Step-by-step explanation:

Short- and medium-chain fatty acids are transported to the liver in the portal circulation, whereas long-chain fatty acids are circulated away from the small intestine in the lymphatic system as part of chylomicrons.

Short-chain fatty acids are water soluble and can enter the absorptive cells (enterocytes) directly, moving into the blood capillary of a villus with ease. On the other hand, long-chain fatty acids are reassembled into triglycerides within the enterocytes, then packaged into chylomicrons, which enter the lymphatic capillaries called lacteals. These chylomicrons within the lacteals then transport the fats through the lymphatic system until they enter the bloodstream, at which point they can go to various destinations, such as the liver or adipose tissue.