Digestion

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy.

Activation Energy

The energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Dehydration Synthesis

A method of enzyme action where reactants are brought physically closer together to form a product, reducing the need for high kinetic energy.

Hydrolytic/Hydrolysis Reactions

Enzymes help water react with a substrate to break down large molecules into smaller units.

Apoenzyme

The protein part of an enzyme.

Coenzyme

An additional non-protein portion of an enzyme that functions to add or accept electrons during a chemical reaction.

Active Site

The part of an enzyme that comes into physical contact with the substrate.

Cofactor

A non-protein chemical compound that aids in enzyme function.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment.

Digestion

The chemical and physical breakdown of food into smaller molecules.

Ingestion

The process of taking in nutrients.

Absorption

The process of transporting digested nutrients to the body.

Egestion/Elimination

The removal of waste from the body.

Large Intestine

Responsible for water absorption and the storage and elimination of indigestible material as feces.

Physical Digestion

The mechanical breakdown of food into smaller fragments.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of food into smaller and different molecules using enzymes.

Gastrin

A hormone produced by the stomach to release gastric juices for protein digestion.

Liver

Produces bile, filters toxins from the blood, stores excess glucose as glycogen, and produces vital blood proteins.

Gallbladder

Stores and releases bile to aid in fat digestion.

Pancreas

Produces digestive enzymes and releases them into the small intestine.

Villi

Finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase the surface area for nutrient absorption.

Microvilli

Even smaller projections on the cells lining the villi that further increase the surface area for absorption.

Nutrient Distribution

The process of delivering absorbed nutrients to all other cells in the body.

Large Intestine

The part of the digestive system consisting of the caecum, colon, and rectum.

Caecum

A blind pouch in the large intestine where the small intestine connects.

Colon

The main part of the large intestine, consisting of the ascending, transverse, and descending sections.

Rectum

A chamber connected to the anus where solid waste is stored before elimination.

Water Reabsorption

The main function of the large intestine, which involves absorbing water back into the body before waste removal.

Egestion

The process of eliminating indigestible components of food as feces, including cellulose, fibers, water, living and dead bacteria.

Anus

The opening through which feces are excreted from the body.

Cellulose

A type of fiber that cannot be digested by humans but adds bulk to waste in the digestive system.