Unit 2: Food Intake, Digestion, and Absorbtion Flashcards
The chemical structures of macronutrients is fairly large and we must break them down into more ___________ units in order for them to be absorbed by the body.
Soluble: disposed to being dissolved
General Circulation
the flow of blood throughout the entire body
Monosaturated Fat
A fatty acid containing one double or triple bond between carbons
Most ______ become fatty acids
triglycerides: a compound with three molecules of fatty acid bound with one molecule of glycerol.
What is the major storage fat in humans?
triglycerides
Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract
tract pertaining to the stomach and intestines
Calories
Any of several units of heat defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius (equal to 4.184 Joules)
How are macronutrients able to provide energy?
macronutrients contain a host of special chemical bonds that link carbon with hydrogen molecules. In the presence of specific enzymes, these carbon-hydrogen bonds are broken in a controlled manner. When these bonds are broken, energy is released.
What is the energy released from the break down of macronutrients used for?
To join to key energy mediators together – free adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and phosphate (P)
What do we get when join adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and phosphate (P) together?
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
What is ATP used for?
things like muscle contraction and nutrient uptake into the cells
Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)
a nucleotide made up of adenosine and 2 phosphate groups, produced in living cells, reversibly renewed to ATP for the storing of energy
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
a nucleotide made up of adenosine and 3 phosphate groups. The breakage of one phosphate group (forming ADP) provides energy for physiological processes such as muscular contraction
Where does the digestive process begin?
the mouth with the process of mastication (chewing)
Bolus
a formed mass of soft, partially chewed food mixed with fluid secretions
What does the process of chewing trigger?
appearance of specific acids, mucus, enzymes, and bile, all secreted by the stomach and a number of supporting organs
Bile
fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, ultimately secreted into the smaller intestine to alkalinize and emulsify foodstuffs
Where does the nutrients released during the breakdown process travel?
small intestine
In the small intestine, how is the nutrients absorbed?
specific intestinal cells called enterocytes
Why does digested food travel slowly through the intestines?
to give the GI system ample time for the nutrients to come in contact with the enterocytes so that the nutrients can be grabbed up and transported into the hepatic portal system
What is the hepatic portal system?
blood circulation from the GI tract to the liver