Why can't humans (I think all animals) digest corn?

Answer 1

you can digest what is on the inside of the corn kernel (starch) because you have an enzymes that enable you to break it down.
You cannot digest cellulose (what makes up the outside kernel of corn) because we do not have enzymes capable of breaking down cellulose.

Answer 2

Hi..
Seems that u have a science brain right?

If you say that we can not digest the corn, it is totally wrong.
Ok, maybe I will tell a story like a granny ^ ^. But I will not satisfied if I`m not make u understand.

One of the chemical compund in this earth is glucose. We may also called it as the saacharide. When that saacharide is 'alone' or doesn`t exist any chemical bond with any other compound, it is easy to be digest. That 'alone' saacharide we also called as te monosaacharides. That monosaacharides could be divided into three classified. There are :

-). Hexose (Which is naturally contain 6 carbon in the chemical structure). Such as the Glucose, and fructose.
-). Pentose (Which contain 5 carbon in the chemical structural)
Such as the ribose and deoxy-ribose. Maybe u have heard about the RNA and DNA right? (RNA is for ribose nucleid acid, and DNA is for the deoxyribose) The different is just in the number of oxygen atom in the structure)
-) Triose (Which contain three carbon in the chemical structural)


Than, that monosaacharides could be joined with the others by overcoming the chemical bond. Especially it is called as the Glycosidic bond (Only in saacharides). Than that combination will form the two monosaacharides or we called as the disaacharides. Such as the Lactose, and Maltose.

That disaacharides could joined again with the others and forming the polysaacharides.

That polysaacharides could be differ into three, There are :
-) Glycogen
-) Starch
-) Cellulose

Maybe I took so long right, So I would simplify it.

For shorten the time I would like to explain about starch, because we are now talking about corn right?

Than in the plant. The food storage is in the starch form. So actually what is the starch?
After having the photosynthesis, the green plant will produce the glucose (C6H12O6). That produces will forming the polysaacharides (In this case a long chain of glucose)

That poly will than have it is helixical shape. Like pur DNA. It caused by the starch have the amylose and amylopectin inside. Amylose is 1,4 And amylopectin is 1,4 and 1,6. That`s why the starch could form the helix.

It is hard to digest because it is contain a long lot chain of glucose. And the glycosidic bond, which is the chemical bond formed between each glucose is hard to disappear.

So that the GOD complete us with the enzymes called amylase. That enzymes will easily overcoming the hydrolisis reaction, which is adding the water molecules that could polarise the bondig and made it into monosaccharides. And after that it could be diggest easily.

Maybe it is not so sattisfied, because that is so many things I would like to explain, but I afraid that u become bored. So thx very much.

And in addition du u know any good university in human genetic?
I`m now the final year student of the A-Level. Please notoce me Okay? Thank`s

Answer 3

Humans and indeed all animals can't digest the cellulose which makes up the outer layers of the kernels. Cellulose is the central structural chemical in all sorts of plant life on land. Any animal that eats grass or wood relies on bacteria in their guts to break it down for them.

We can't break it all down because our digestive systems don't hold onto the materials long enough.We've got the bacteria to a small degree, but they don't have the time needed to get much work done.

Just because we aren't digesting the cellulose doesn't mean we aren't digesting the starches and sugars in it.

I'd also observe that you need to chew your food more thoroughly if you can see big pieces of any recognizable foods larger than a sesame seed in your poop.

poop...sigh, so much for my technical lingo credz.

Answer 4

Its just one of those things that our body is unable to digest...we cannot digest fat, but we break it down into smaller pieces and our body removes some of it...we just cannot break down corn chemicaly.

Answer 5

i think human can digest corn its just that it will take longer than when it's cooked. i think that's the only reason why we don't eat it raw cause it's too tough for us to chew and digest

Answer 6

Can't digest corn? I think they can? Interested to find real answer here.

Answer 7

Cellulose is tough fibrous material, and difficult to digest. But many animals DO digest it. Cows, chickens, etc.

Answer 8

Corn as well as all seeds have a protective membrane to protects it from the digestive juices. Busting the membrane will aid digestion. In other words chew your food.

Answer 9

they can