Gastrointestinal tract V Flashcards
Nutrition
A nutrient is a substance in food the body uses to promote normal growth, maintenance and repair
- energy value in food is measures in kilocalories
- sometimes values given as or Joules (J)
Glycemic Index
- Measurement of carbohydrate content in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels
- carbohydrates with allow GI slow digested, absorbed and metabolised
- cause a lower and slower rise in blood glucose and therefore insulin levels
The benefits of carbohydrates
- except for milk sugars and a negligible amount of glycogen in meat, all carbohydrates we ingest are derived from plants
- sugars (mono and di) found in grains and vegetables
Fibre (poly)
- cellulose not digested but provides roughage
- insoluble fibre increases bulk of stool
- soluble fibre e.g pectin in apple and citrus reduces blood cholesterol
The benefits of fat
Fat cells work hard
- thermal insulator
- produce hormones
- has receptor for insulin, growth hormone and adrenalin
- protect and support organs and bones
- concentrated source of energy
- some nutrients need fat for the body to use them e.g. fat soluble vitamins
- structural elements of a cell
Lipid:
a compound insoluble in water but soluble in an organic solvent (acetone, chloroform, benzene) –> provide energy
Fatty acids: saturated
butter, cream, meat fat
Fatty acids: trans
Created by a process called hydrogenation - behave like saturated fats in the body
e.g. margarine, ready-made meals, snack foods, energy bars
Fatty acids: mono
vegetable oil, avocado
Fatty acids: poly
e.g. tuns, salmon, nuts and soys
Fatty acids: essential
cannot be synthesised by the body, omega-3 and omega-6
non-essential fatty acids
saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, omega-9
the benefits of protein
- animal products contain the best ratio of essential
- amino acids: eggs, milk, fish, most meats
- plant based best for essential amino acids: soy beans
- plant based amino acid rich: legumes, nuts
The four main digestion processes in the GIT
enzymes work most efficiently at optimal temperature and optimal pH
Carbohydrate digestion
Salivary amylase
Pancreatic amylase
Maltase
Salivary amylase: Produced in salivary glands Site of release in mouth pH level is neutral Pancreatic amylase: Produced in pancreas Site of release in small intestine pH level is basic Maltase: Small intestine Small intestine Basic
Protein digestion
Pepsin
Trypsin
Peptidases
Pepsin: gastric glands stomach acidic Trypsin: pancreas small intestine basic Peptidases: small intestine small intestine basic
Nucleic acid digestion
Nuclease
nucleosidases
Nuclease and nucleosidases:
pancreas
small intestine
basic
Fat digestion
Lipase
Pancrease
Small intestine
Basic