Digestion Flashcards
What is nutrition?
Nutrition is the process by which organisms obtain food and energy for growth, repair, and maintenance of the body.
What is feeding or ingestion?
Feeding or ingestion is the process of taking food into the body.
What is digestion?
Digestion is the process where large food molecules are broken down into smaller, soluble molecules that can be absorbed into the body cells.
What is absorption?
Absorption is the process where nutrients move from the small intestine into the bloodstream.
What is assimilation?
Assimilation is the process where nutrients are used by cells to provide energy or to make new cytoplasm for growth.
What is egestion?
Egestion is the process of removing undigested matter from the body.
What is the role of teeth in digestion?
Teeth chew food to break down large food molecules into smaller ones, increasing surface area to volume ratio for efficiency.
What is the function of salivary glands?
Salivary glands secrete saliva, which contains salivary amylase that catalyzes the breakdown of starch into maltose.
What is the role of the tongue in digestion?
The tongue rolls food into a bolus for ease of swallowing and mixes food with saliva.
What is the function of the oesophagus?
The oesophagus is a narrow, muscular tube that passes food from the mouth to the stomach.
What is peristalsis?
Peristalsis is the rhythmic, wave-like contractions in the wall of the alimentary canal that move food forward.
What is the role of the stomach in digestion?
The stomach has thick muscular walls and secretes gastric juice to digest proteins and kill microbes.
What is chyme?
Chyme is the liquefied partially digested food that passes into the duodenum.
What is the structure of the small intestine?
The small intestine consists of the U-shaped duodenum and much coiled ileum, measuring about 6 meters long.
What are villi?
Villi are minute finger-like projections in the ileum that increase surface area for absorption.
What is the function of the liver?
The liver produces bile, converts absorbed sugars into glycogen, detoxifies harmful substances, and regulates blood glucose levels.
What is the role of the gall bladder?
The gall bladder stores bile temporarily and releases it into the duodenum when needed.
What is the function of pancreatic juice?
Pancreatic juice contains digestive enzymes that help in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
What is the role of bile in fat digestion?
Bile emulsifies fats, breaking them into smaller droplets to increase the surface area for digestion by lipase.
What happens in the large intestine?
The large intestine absorbs about 90% of the remaining water and mineral salts from undigested food material.
What are the effects of alcohol on the digestive system?
Alcohol stimulates acid secretion in the stomach, increases the risk of gastric ulcers, and can lead to liver damage.
What is the function of insulin?
Insulin helps control blood sugar levels by stimulating liver cells to convert excess glucose into glycogen.
What is the role of amino acids in the body?
Amino acids are used to form new cytoplasm for growth and repair, as well as to create enzymes and hormones.
What happens to excess fats in the body?
Excess fats are stored in adipose tissues, which protect organs and can be broken down for energy when glucose is in short supply.
