Nutrition definitions Flashcards
What is mechanical digestion?
Breakdown of large insoluble molecules by cutting and crushing by teeth and muscle contractions of the gut wall
What is chemical digestion?
Breakdown of large molecules through the secretion of digestive enzymes, bile, and stomach acid
What is absorption?
Passage of small soluble molecules and ions through the gut wall into the blood
What is egestion?
Elimination of indigestible waste. Not that this is not excretion as this waste has not been modified. Excretion would refer to CO2 from cells or urea in the urine
What is peristalsis?
Wave of muscular contractions in the gut wall propelling the contents along it
What is enterokinase?
An enzyme that converts trypsinogen to trypsin
What is microvilli?
The projections on columnar epithelial cells of the ileum which increase surface area
What is a parasite?
An organism that lives in or on another organism and obtains nourishment at the expense of the host, causing harm
What is diastema?
A gap between molars and incisors in herbivores allowing manipulation of food back to molars
What are carnassials?
Blade-like teeth to crush bones found in carnivores
What is a caecum?
Enlarged area of large intestine in non-ruminant herbivores, where bacteria are found
What is reflection/coprophagy
The process of eating one’s own faeces to increase efficiency of digestion
