Nutrition in animals Flashcards
What are the function of vitamins and minerals?
Vitamins and minerals are organic compounds required in very small amounts for particular cell processes such as formatting part of enzymes.
What is digestion?
Digestion is the process of breaking down organic food into molecules that are small enough to enter cells. The digested food them passes into the blood stream and is carried throughout the body.
What is the function and process of chemical digestion?
Chemical digestion is the breaking apart of complex molecules into simple molecules by enzymes. E.g. amylase is an enzyme found in saliva which starts to breakdown food in the mouth.
What is the function and process of mechanical digestion?
Mechanic digestion and/or breakdown is the chewing or mashing of food in the mouth, which consequently breaks food down into smaller parts. This increases the surface area available for enzyme action.