Digestion Vocab Flashcards
sphincter
a circular muscle that normally maintains constriction of a natural body passage or orifice and which relaxes as required by normal physiological functioning.
homeostasis
the human body keeping a constant internal temperature.
esophagus
the part of the alimentary canal that connects the throat to the stomach
peristalsis
Involuntary contractions of inner circular and outer longitudinal muscles in esophagus, stomach and intestines in order to push the food ahead of the wave
amylase
a digestive enzyme secreted by salivary glands and pancreas that hydrolyses carbohydrates into sugars
absorption
Absorption is the movement of molecules across the membrane into the circulatory system.
Parts of small intestine
Duodenum is the first section of the small intestine where most chemical reactions occur. Jejunum is the second part of the small intestine where most absorption occurs. Ileum is the third/final part of the small intestine that absorbs nutrients that were not absorbed by the jejunum.
Mastication
The first step of digestion where the food is broken down within the mouth by chewing.
pepsin
A digestive enzyme in the stomach responsible for breaking down protiens into polypeptides.
large intestine
The major function of the large intestine is to absorb water from the remaining indigestible matter and transmit the waste from the body.
stool
Another word for faeces.
assimilation
It is two processes that helps supply nutrients to cells. The breaking down of food and absorbtion into the bloodstream. The second process is the chemical alteration of substances in the bloodstream by the liver.
hepatocyte
A cell of the main tissue of the Liver
villi
Small finger-like projections of the wall of the small intestine which extend into the lumen or interior space of the small intestine
egestion
The act or process of discharging undigested or waste material from a cell or organism (defecation)
