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Ingestion
Taking in food and liquids.
Mechanical digestion
Physical breakdown of food, such as chewing and stomach churning.
Chemical digestion
Enzymatic breakdown of food molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Absorption
Process where nutrients move into the blood or lymph.
Defecation
Elimination of indigestible material from the body.
Peristalsis
Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.
Segmentation
Mixing contractions in the small intestine that aid in digestion and absorption.
Mucosa
Innermost layer of the GI tract that secretes digestive enzymes and absorbs nutrients.
Submucosa
Layer of the GI tract that contains blood vessels and nerves.
Muscularis externa
Layer that controls peristalsis and segmentation in the GI tract.
Serosa
Outer layer of the GI tract that reduces friction.
Saliva
Fluid composed of water, mucus, and enzymes that moistens food and starts carbohydrate digestion.
Bile
Fluid produced by the liver that emulsifies fats and aids in fat digestion.
Villi and microvilli
Structures in the small intestine that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.
Bicarbonate
Substance in pancreatic juice that neutralizes stomach acid.
End products of digestion
Carbohydrates turn into sugars, fats turn into fatty acids and glycerol, proteins turn into amino acids.
Lacteals
Lymphatic vessels in the small intestine that absorb fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.
Bile salts
Substances that emulsify fats, aiding in their digestion and absorption.
What is the primary function of the stomach in digestion?
Protein digestion and churning.
What enzyme starts carbohydrate digestion in the mouth?
Salivary amylase.
Vitamin K and B vitamins
Vitamins produced by intestinal flora in the large intestine.
What is the primary function of the large intestine?
Water absorption and bacterial fermentation.
Which part of the digestive system is primarily responsible for final digestion and absorption of nutrients?
Small Intestine (Brush Border).
