biologyyy Flashcards
Enamel
The very strong material that covers the surface of a tooth.
Dentine
A living tissue that lies just beneath the enamel of a tooth.
Cement
The material that holds a tooth in the gum.
Incisors
Chisel-shaped teeth at the front of the mouth, used for biting off pieces of food.
Canines
Pointed teeth at either side of the incisors, used in a similar way to incisors.
Premolars
Teeth with broad, ridged surfaces, found between the canines and molars; they are used for grinding food to increase its surface area.
Molars
Teeth similar to premolars but usually larger, with broad, ridged surfaces, found towards the back of the mouth; they are used for grinding food to increase its surface area.
Anus
The exit from the alimentary canal, through which faeces are removed.
Sphincter muscles
Rings of muscle that can contract to close a tube.
Lubricated
Made smooth and slippery, to reduce friction.
Mucus
A smooth, viscous fluid secreted by many different organs in the body.
Goblet cells
Cells found in the lining (epithelium) of the respiratory passages and digestive system, which secrete mucus.
Maltose
A reducing sugar made of two glucose molecules joined together.
Epithelium
A tissue that covers a surface in an animal; for example, an epithelium covers the inside of the wall of the human alimentary canal.
Pepsin
A protease enzyme secreted in gastric juice; it has an optimum pH of 2.
Gastric juice
A liquid secreted by the walls of the stomach; it contains pepsin and hydrochloric acid.
Trypsin
A protease enzyme secreted by the pancreas; it works in the duodenum.
Emulsifies
Breaks down large drops of fat or oil into smaller droplets, increasing their surface.
