Digestion Flashcards
What role does water play in digestion?
Water is very important for digestion because it:
* Dilutes the food, making it easier to pass through the digestive tract
* Aids in hydrolysis, which is the chemical breakdown of macromolecules by means of water
Hydrolysis is essential for the digestion process as it helps break down complex molecules into simpler forms.
What is hydrolysis in the context of digestion?
Hydrolysis is the chemical breakdown of macromolecules by means of water.
This process is crucial for converting complex nutrients into absorbable forms.
Which enzyme digests fats?
Lipase
Lipase is specifically responsible for breaking down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
Which enzyme digests starches into sugars?
Amylase
Amylase breaks down carbohydrates, particularly starches, into simpler sugars like glucose.
What enzyme is responsible for digesting proteins into amino acids?
Trypsin
Trypsin is a proteolytic enzyme that plays a key role in protein digestion.
Where does absorption of digested nutrients primarily occur?
Absorption occurs mostly in the small intestine by villi.
Villi are small, finger-like projections that increase the surface area for absorption.
What structures in the villi facilitate nutrient absorption?
Villi contain blood vessels and capillaries.
These structures allow nutrients to pass into the bloodstream.
How do fats enter the bloodstream differently than other nutrients?
Fats enter the bloodstream through lymphatic vessels, specifically lymphatic capillaries known as lacteals.
This is because fats are too large to enter directly into the blood capillaries.
Which part of the brain regulates hunger?
The hypothalamus
The hypothalamus responds to nutrient levels in the blood to stimulate hunger.
What happens to hunger signals once food passes from the mouth to the stomach?
Hunger ends.
The transition of food from the mouth to the stomach signals the body to stop feeling hungry.
What is the largest granular organ in the body?
Liver
The liver weighs about 3-4 lbs and fills most of the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity.
Where is the liver located in relation to the diaphragm?
The liver sits right under the diaphragm.
Its positioning is crucial for its functions in digestion and metabolism.
How is the liver divided?
The liver is divided into 2 major lobes: the right lobe (largest) and the left lobe (smallest).
The division of the liver into lobes is important for its structural and functional organization.
