Digestive Flashcards
Name of cells in stomach that secrete HCl
Parietal cells
Why is the digestive tract compartmentalized?
- allows for different optimal environments for enzymes
- maximizes digestion and absorption
What does the stomach achieve and what structures aid this?
Achieves mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods
Has stomach churning and strong acid (and mucus to allow acid)
What does the small intestine achieve and what structures aid this?
Achieves nutrient absorption
Does so by releasing enzymes, having lots of kinks and wrinkles coated in microvilli that increase SA
What does the large intestine achieve and what structures aid this?
Achieves water and vitamin absorption
Contains bacteria
What are some differences between herbivore and carnivore digestive tracts?
- flat vs pointy teeth
- large cecum vs short cecum (beginning of large int.)
- long vs short digestive tract
What enzymes break down carbs?
Salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase
What enzymes break down lipids?
Lingual lipase, bile salts and pancreatic lipase
What enzymes break down proteins?
Pepsin and trypsin
