Digestion exam Flashcards

The process of taking food into the body through the mouth.

The small intestine is responsible for nutrient absorption and digestion, aided by its extensive surface area from villi and microvilli.

Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; it emulsifies fats to increase their surface area for digestion.

A blood vessel that transports nutrients from the digestive tract to the liver for detoxification and storage.

Villi are small, finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption. Microvilli are even smaller projections on the villi.

Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

The large intestine absorbs water and compacts feces.

A mixture of hydrochloric acid, enzymes, and mucus secreted by the stomach to aid in digestion.

The liver detoxifies substances, stores nutrients, and produces bile for fat digestion.

An inactive enzyme secreted by the stomach that is converted to pepsin in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

Aquaporins are channels that facilitate the efficient passage of water through cell membranes.

The semi-fluid mass of partly digested food that is expelled by the stomach into the duodenum.

Ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination.

Mammals with a specialized four-chambered stomach for digesting plant matter, including fermentation.

The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine.

The appendix houses useful gut bacteria and contains immune-related tissue.

The breakdown of food outside cells, typically within the lumen of the digestive tract.

Salivary amylase is an enzyme in saliva that breaks down carbohydrates into maltose and dextrins.

Small aggregates of fat molecules formed during the digestion of fats, aiding in their absorption.

The pyloric sphincter regulates the passage of chyme from the stomach to the small intestine.

A hormone that stimulates the release of bile from the gallbladder and digestive enzymes from the pancreas.

The colon absorbs water and houses beneficial bacteria essential for health.

An enzyme secreted by glands in the tongue that breaks down fats.

The sodium-potassium pump creates a concentration gradient that allows glucose to enter epithelial cells via secondary active transport.

A common cavity in some animals for the excretion of both urine and feces.

Mucus lubricates food and protects the lining of the digestive tract from harsh substances.

Fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize and must be obtained from the diet, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.