Bio: Digestion & Nutrition Flashcards
Absorbed
When small, soluble molecules go through the wall of the small intestine into the blood
anus
the opening at the end of the gut
appendix
small tube branching off the large intestine. It has no function in animals
balanced diet
eating a wide variety of foods to give us all the things we need
carbohydrate
Nutrient that is used as the main source of energy
chemical energy
energy stored in chemicals (like food and fuel)
constipation
When the intestines get blocked up
contract
to get smaller
diabetes
Disease in which the levels of glucose in the blood cannot be controlled
diet
the food that you eat
digestion
process that breaks food into soluble substances in our bodies
digestive system
a group of organs that carry out digestion
egestion
when faeces are pushed out of the anus
enzyme
A chemical that can break up large molecules
faeces
waste food material produced by the intestines
fat
Nutrient that is stored to be used for energy in the future. It also helps to keep heat in our bodies
fibre
Substance found in food that is not used up by the body. It helps keep our intestines clean
gullet
Tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach. Sometimes called the ‘food pipe’
gut
All the organs of the digestive system apart from the mouth
heart disease
Disease caused by the narrowing of the arteries carrying blood to the muscles of the heart, which means that the heart muscles do not receive enough oxygen
ingestion
Putting food in your mouth.
Insoluble
something that does not dissolve is said to be insoluble
insulin
A chemical made in the pancreas that causes cells to take glucose out of the blood
kilojoule (kJ)
Unit of energy used on food packets. There are 1000 J in 1 kJ
large intestine
organ that takes water out of the waste
liver
organ that makes and destroys many substances in the body
mineral
Properly called a ‘mineral salt’. It is a nutrient needed in small quantities for health (e.g. calcium)
molecule
Two or more atoms joined together
Nutrient
Substance needed in the diet to provide raw materials
nutrition information
information found on a food packet or label to tell you what is in the food
obese
being very overweight
pancreas
An organ that produces insulin and produces enzymes (which help to break down food)
protein
nutrient used for growth and repair
raw materials
substances used to make other substances
Rectum
Organ that stores faeces before they are egested
Saliva
A digestive juice. It contains an enzyme that breaks down starch into sugar
salivary gland
Found in the mouth, it makes saliva
Small intestine
Organ where most digestion happens. The soluble substances produced by digestion are absorbed into the body here. It is about 6.5m long in adults.
Soluble
Something that is soluble can dissolve in a liquid
Starch
Types of insoluble carbohydrate found in plants
stomach
Organ containing strong acid that mixes food up and digests proteins
Sugar
Type of soluble carbohydrate. Glucose is an example of sugar
Vitamin
Nutrient needed in small quantities for health (e.g. vitamin C)
