7 Flashcards
What is the primary function of the tongue in digestion?
Forms food into boluses and mixes with saliva
Boluses are soft, rounded masses of chewed food.
What are the main components of saliva?
Water, mucus, and enzymes (amylase)
Amylase starts the breakdown of starch into maltose.
What role does the epiglottis play during swallowing?
Directs food to the esophagus by closing the trachea
This prevents food from entering the nasal cavity.
How long does food typically remain in the stomach?
1-6 hours
This duration varies based on the type of food consumed.
What is chyme?
A mixture of food, hydrochloric acid, and pepsin
Chyme is the semi-fluid mass of partly digested food that moves from the stomach to the small intestine.
What is the primary function of the duodenum?
Carries out mostly chemical digestion
It breaks down food into basic proteins (amino acids), carbohydrates (starch/glucose), and lipids (fatty acids).
Where do digestive enzymes come from in the digestive system?
Released through a duct from the pancreas
These enzymes aid in the breakdown of food in the small intestine.
What is the function of bile?
Aids in fat digestion/absorption
Bile is produced in the liver, stored in the gall bladder, and released into the small intestine.
What is the role of the jejunum in digestion?
Absorbs food nutrients through villi
Villi are small, finger-like projections that increase the surface area for absorption.
What is the primary function of the ileum?
Responsible for selective absorption of nutrients
It absorbs vitamins and minerals before waste moves to the large intestine.
What is the main purpose of the large intestine?
Remove water and remaining minerals from food waste
It converts chyme mixed with bacteria into feces.
What are the three main sections of the large intestine?
Ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon
These sections facilitate the processing and elimination of waste.
What is the function of carbohydrase?
Breaks down carbohydrates into sugars
This enzyme is crucial for carbohydrate digestion.
What does protease do?
Breaks down protein into amino acids
Protease enzymes are essential for protein digestion.
What is the role of lipase in digestion?
Breaks down fatty acids into glycerol
Lipase plays a key role in fat digestion.
Fill in the blank: Vibrations create _______ that are transmitted through sound waves.
compressions
Sound waves are created by the vibration of objects.
True or False: The amplitude of a sound wave is related to its pitch.
False
Amplitude affects volume, while pitch is determined by frequency.
What determines the speed of a sound wave?
Medium through which it travels
Sound travels at different speeds in air, water, and solids.
Fill in the blank: The _______ of a sound wave is the distance between two consecutive crests.
wavelength
Wavelength is a key characteristic of sound waves.
