Assimilation

The final conversion of the absorbed nutrients into the living substance, i.e. their utilization by the cells is called assimilation.

After absorption from the food canal the digested food is assimilated by the body in the following ways:

1. Fatty acids and glycerol are again converted into fats, that may be used or stored in adipose tissue.
2. Simple sugars (monosaccharides) which are in excess are converted into complex polysaccharides like glycogen in liver.
3. Amino acids are utilized in the synthesis of proteins for building up the body tissues and enzymes.
4. Excess amino acids are deaminated (removal of nitrogenous part) to produce simple sugar. (Amino acids cannot be stored).