digestive adaptations and compartments Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is dentition, and how does it reflect diet?
Dentition refers to the structural assortment of teeth that vary based on diet
How does omnivore dentition compare to carnivore or herbivore dentition?
Omnivores have relatively unspecialized teeth compared to herbivores and carnivores.
What type of stomach is common in carnivorous vertebrates?
Large, expandable stomachs to accommodate large meals consumed at once
Why do herbivores and omnivores have longer alimentary canals?
Plant matter is harder to digest, so a longer canal allows for slower movement and more nutrient absorption
Why is the cecum larger in herbivores?
The cecum helps process vegetable matter, aiding digestion of plant-based food.
What is the microbiome in human digestion?
The 10-100 trillion symbiotic bacteria in the digestive system.
How do gut bacteria help digestion?
Produce vitamins.
Regulate intestinal epithelium development.
Support innate immune function.
What are the four stages of food processing?
Ingestion – Act of eating.
Digestion – Breaking down food into absorbable molecules.
Absorption – Cells take up nutrients.
Elimination – Removal of undigested materials.
How do digestive compartments prevent self-digestion?
They contain digestion in specialized areas to avoid harming the organism’s own cells.
What is intracellular digestion?
Digestion occurs inside lysosomes, used by unicellular organisms and sponges
What is extracellular digestion?
Breakdown of food in compartments connected to the outside of the body.
What is a gastrovascular cavity?
A single-opening digestive compartment that also distributes nutrients.
What is a complete digestive tract (alimentary canal)?
A system with two openings (mouth and anus) where food moves in one direction.
What is the advantage of a complete digestive tract?
It allows for specialized compartments and enables continuous digestion while earlier meals are still being processed.
