Digestive System Flashcards
Absorption
the nutrients move into the bloodstream
Active Transport
the transportation of materials through a cell membrane using energy from the cell
Amino Acid
protein in food is broken down into amino acids, which are used by the body for various purposes
Amylase
an enzyme that is made by the salivary glands. It breaks down complex carbohydrates
Bile
a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion and is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
Bolus
the name given to the food once it has been chewed
Carbohydrate
organic compounds occurring in foods including sugars and starches
Chemical digestion
powerful chemicals digest food
Chyme
the walls of the stomach churn food, transforming food chunks into chyme (liquid)
Circular folds
occur when the intestine folds in on itself inside the abdomen
Complex carbohydrates
such as fiber, are starches formed by longer saccharide chains, which mean take longer to break down
concentration gradient
the difference in the number of molecules or ions of a substance in a given volume between adjoining areas
diffusion
The movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
digestion
breaks food down into useful nutrients
digestive system
a group of organs that do three things: digestion, absorption, and elimination
duodenum
first part of the small intestine
elimination
the leftover waste is removed from the body
endoscopy
any medical procedure that uses an endoscope to look inside the body
enzymes
act to chemically break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids
esophagus
muscular tube connecting the pharynx to the stomach.
esophageal sphincter
a muscular “door” between the esophagus and the stomach.
facilitated diffusion
the diffusion of molecules across a cell membrane via a transport protein
fat
broken down by enzymes into fatty acids (nutrient required for cell function)
fatty acid
generate energy and create biologically important molecules
fiber
a difficult to digest complex carbohydrate that can be broken down into sugar
gallbladder
stores bile until needed and released through the bile duct into the small intestine
gastrointestinal tract
the name for the entire digestive tract from mouth to anus
hydrochloric Acid
HCl is stomach acid
Ilium
third part of the small intestine
Insulin
a hormone produced in the pancreas which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. The lack of insulin causes a form of diabetes.
Jejunum
second part of the small intestine
Liver
produces bile that breaks down fats. Contains powerful enzymes that break down chemicals in our food (food additives, alcohol, etc)
Lipase
an enzyme that digests lipids (fats)
Mechanical digestion
teeth and muscular contractions in the stomach break down food into smaller particles
Microvilli
villi that occur in the membrane of the villi
Mucus
a protective secretion produced by the epithelial cells that form the mucous membrane
Nutrient
substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of cell function. Include sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and water
Osmosis
the movement of water molecules across a membrane from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration (of water molecules)
Pancreas
secretes digestive juices into the small intestines and produces insulin
Passive transport
types of transport that do not require energy from the cell (simple diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion)
Pepsin
enzyme that breaks down protein
Peristalsis
the muscular contractions that push food through the system
Protein
broken down by enzymes to create essential nutrient amino acids
Pyloric sphincter
muscular “door” between the stomach and the small intestine
Salivary glands
produce saliva that contains enzyme amylase
sugar
a simple carbohydrate
teeth
crush food into a bolus
tongue
helps to move food back and forth in the mouth
transport protein
proteins are embedded in the cell membrane and help or facilitate diffusion
villus
tiny, fingerlike projection in the wall of the small intestine that absorbs nutrients.
