Digestive Secretions and Processes

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to digestive secretions, their functions, and associated processes.

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract

The tract in which digestion and absorption occur, dependent on digestive secretions.

Digestive secretions

Fluids synthesized and secreted in the GI tract that facilitate digestion and absorption.

Saliva

A fluid that lubricates food, containing enzymes like salivary amylase and lingual lipase.

Salivary amylase

An enzyme present in omnivorous animals for starch digestion, absent in carnivores.

Lingual lipase

An enzyme in some young animals that digests fats, disappearing with maturation.

Acinar gland

Gland producing saliva, with ducts leading into the mouth and modifying saliva's composition.

Hypotonic saliva

Saliva with a lower sodium concentration than extracellular fluid.

Ruminant saliva

Saliva with a high bicarbonate concentration that neutralizes acids in the rumen of cows.

Gastric secretions

Fluids in the stomach that include hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen, influenced by food presence.

Pancreas

An organ with endocrine and exocrine functions, producing hormones and digestive enzymes.

Bile secretion

A liver function producing bile acids important for the emulsification of dietary lipids.

Bilirubin

A bile pigment produced from hemoglobin breakdown, giving bile its green color.

Enterohepatic circulation

The cycle of bile acids from the liver to the intestine and back, involving absorption and secretion.

Cholescystokinin

A hormone that stimulates gallbladder contraction when fatty food enters the duodenum.