Digestion System

Question 1

Mechanical digestion

Answer 1

involves physically breaking the food into smaller pieces.

Question 2

Chemical digestion

Answer 2

is the breakdown of large insoluble food molecules into small water-soluble food molecules so that they can be absorbed into the watery blood plasma.

Question 3

Enzymes

Answer 3

a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.

Question 4

Villi

Answer 4

any of the fingerlike or threadlike projections from the surface of certain membranous structures, typically serving to increase surface area and facilitate the passage of fluid or nutrients.

Question 5

Peristalsis

Answer 5

the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal, creating wave-like movements that push the contents of the canal forward.

Question 6

Macromolecule

Answer 6

a molecule containing a very large number of atoms, such as a protein, nucleic acid, or synthetic polymer.

Question 7

Monomer

Answer 7

a molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer.

Question 8

Polymer

Answer 8

a substance that has a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together, e.g., many synthetic organic materials used as plastics and resins.