Digestive System Key Terms

Question 1

digestion

Answer 1

process where complex foods are broken down into nutrients in a form the body can use

Question 2

digestive enzymes

Answer 2

responsible for the chemical changes that break foods down into simpler forms of nutrients for use by the body

Question 3

nutrient

Answer 3

substance that is necessary for normal functioning of the body

Question 4

primary nutrients

Answer 4

carbohydrates, fats, and proteins

Question 5

essential nutrients

Answer 5

vitamins and minerals

Question 6

metabolism

Answer 6

includes all of the processes involved in the body’s use of nutrients

Question 7

anabolism

Answer 7

building up of body cells and substances from nutrients

Question 8

catabolism

Answer 8

the breaking down of body cells or substances, releasing energy and carbon dioxide

Question 9

absorption

Answer 9

process where completely digested nutrients are transported to the cells throughout the body

Question 10

villi

Answer 10

finger-like projections on mucosa that lines the small intestine

Question 11

mastication

Answer 11

breaks food down into smaller pieces, mixes with saliva, and prepares it to be swallowed

Question 12

bolus

Answer 12

mass of food that has been chewed and is ready to be swallowed

Question 13

chyme

Answer 13

semifluid mass of partly digested food that passes out of the stomach, through the pyloric sphincter, and into the small intestine

Question 14

feces

Answer 14

solid body wastes tat are expelled through the rectum and anus

Question 15

defecation

Answer 15

“bowel movement”, evacuating or emptying of the large intestine

Question 16

borborygmus

Answer 16

rumbling noise caused by the movement of gas in the intestine

Question 17

flatulence

Answer 17

“flatus” the passage of gas out of the body through the rectum