[Membrane digestion and absorption in the bird]

Abstract

Characteristics of membrane digestion in birds as well as its role in splitting up carbohydrates and proteins revealed the regulatory character of membrane digestion enzymes, their linkage to the enterocyte membrane, dependence on the age and the topography of the small intestine. The systems of active and exchange transport as well as its energetics are described. A close connection between membrane hydrolysis and absorption is shown as actualized by specialized digestive-transport complexes functioning in the enterocyte membrane. Fast and slow adaptation of membrane digestion and absorption are described as well as the ability of parasubstrate regulation of these systems.