Ch1- Heterotrophic Nutrition Flashcards
Digestion
It’s the conversion of polymers to monomers by hydrolysis by the help of enzymes
Importance of digestion
LOs obtain ready made complex compounds (as proteins and carbohydrates) that cannot diffuse through cell membrane, so large food molecules are broken down to small simple structures (as amino and glucose) so it can be easily absorbed by the cell by diffusion or by active transport.
Properties of enzyme
- They are specific molecules that activate specific chemical reactions, the enzyme fits with the substrate as lock and key
- They’re made of proteins
- Affected by PH and temperature
- When the reaction is completed, the product breaks away from enzyme
- Only works in watery medium
- Some are secreted in an inactive state and are activated by a substance
- Some have reversible effect
Substrate
The food material which the enzyme acts on
The Digestive Canal:
It’s a long canal that starts from the mouth and ends by Anus
Teeth are differentiated into:
Incisors
Canines
Premolars and molars
Function of incisors
Cutting food
Function of canines
Tearing food
Function of molars and premolars
Grinding and crushing food
Function of tongue
- Mixing food to be chewed by teeth
- Tasting food
- Pushing food to the pharynx
Salivary glands
3 pairs which open in mouth cavity and secrete saliva
Function of chewing food
Increase the SA of enzymatic action of food
Facilitate swallowing
Saliva contains:
- Mucus: to help swallow food
2. Salivary amylase: weak alkaline medium, starts the digestion of starch in the mouth
GR Digestion starts in the mouth
Because saliva contains salivary amylase which starts digestion of starch inside the mouth.
Starch+H2O-(Ptyalin/pH 7.5-8)——-> Maltose (disaccharide)
GR Food doesn’t pass through respiratory tract
Because during swallowing larynx and trachea are elevated causing epiglottis to close over the glottis (entrance of air passage)
GR Swallowing is a reflex action
Because it takes place involuntarily when trachea and larynx are elevated and epiglottis covers them which forces the food to oesophagus
Pharynx
It’s a cavity at the back of the mouth which leads to two tubes, oesophagus and trachea
Peristalsis
Contractions and relaxations of circular muscles
Function of oesophagus
It’s lined with glands that secrete mucus, and it delivers food to the stomach by peristalsis
Cardiac sphincter
Circular muscle that separates stomach from oesophagus
Pyloric sphincter
Circular muscle that separates stomach from the small intestine
Digestion in the stomach
Gastric digestion, affects proteins only
Gastric juice
A colorless acidic liquid
90% water
The rest is HCL and digestive enzymes