Physical and Chemical Digestion of Food. Flashcards
How are large particles of food broken down?
By the teeth.
How are large, insoluble molecules broken down?
By enzymes.
What do dentists do?
They advise on tooth care, and repair damaged caused by poor diet or poor tooth cleaning.
What do dental hygienists do?
Remove plaque from teeth.
What is the function of saliva?
To lubricate food, to neutralise acids in the mouth.
What are the benefits of alkaline saliva?
Neutralises acids in the mouth, that may otherwise cause cavities.
How is tooth decay caused?
Acid comes from bacteria that feed on food left in the mouth, as well as acidic food, the acid dissolves the enamel, which can eventually decay the dentine, eventually exposing the pulp, when nerve endings are stimulated you may get toothache.
What is peristalsis?
The muscular contractions that push food down the oesophagus, peristalsis also happens in the intestines.
Which enzymes digest carbohydrates?
Carbohydrase.
What parts of the body produce carbohydrase?
Salivary glands, the pancreas, and the small intestine.
Which carbohydrate does amylase digest?
Starch.
Which enzyme digests protein?
Protease.
What is the product of carbohydrate digestion?
Glucose.
What is the product of protein digestion?
Amino acids.
What parts of the body produce protease?
The stomach, the pancreas, the small intestine.
Which enzyme digests fats?
Lipase.
What are the products of fat digestion?
Fatty acids and glycerol.
What parts of the body produce lipase?
Pancreas and small intestine.
Where is bile produced?
In the liver.
Where is bile stored?
The gall bladder.
How does bile get to the intestine?
Via the bile duct.
How is the surface area of the small intestine increased?
By the villi.
Which organ does deamination take place?
The liver.
What is the product of deamination?
Ammonia.
What is the function of bile?
To neutralise stomach acid, emulsifies fats.
Why might patients with cystic fibrosis have difficulty digesting food?
In cystic fibrosis, mucus clogs the pancreas, and digestive enzymes are not able to get to the intestine. So food is not properly digested, particularly fats and proteins. A related symptom is large, greasy, smelly stools.
Lack of nutrition prevents normal growth and development in babies and children. Unhealthy weight loss and difficulty gaining or maintaining weight are common problems for many people of all ages who have cystic fibrosis
Why do people with coeliac disease have difficulty absorbing food?
When people with coeliac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike projections lining the small intestine. Villi normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats.
