Nutrition and Food Processing in Animals and Plants

Vocabulary flashcards about Nutrition and Food Processing in Animals and Plants.

Vitamins

Organic compounds that function as co-enzymes and co-factors of enzymes

Water-soluble vitamins

Vitamins that dissolve in water and are not stored in the body to a significant extent; easily excreted in urine.

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamins that dissolve in fats and oils and can be stored in the body's fatty tissue and liver.

Minerals

Inorganic molecules that provide ions essential for the functioning of many enzymes or proteins

Principal elements (macronutrients)

Minerals that occur in living tissues in comparatively large amounts; daily requirement exceeds 100mg

Trace elements (micronutrients)

Minerals that occur in living tissues in small amounts; required in amounts less than 100mg

Rickets

Softening of bones in children potentially leading to fractures and deformity

Osteomalacia

Bones lose calcium and become softer and may deform

Gastrovascular cavity

Simplest example of an evolved digestive system; only has one opening for digestion.

Alimentary canal

More advanced digestive system with a separate mouth and anus.

Oral cavity

Point of entry for food; mastication breaks food down into smaller particles.

Saliva

Watery substance produced by salivary glands that contains mucous, immunoglobins, lysozymes, and salivary amylase

Parotid glands

Near your ears, these produce saliva rich in enzymes like amylase, which helps break down starches during digestion

Submandibular glands

Under your jaw, they produce a mix of watery and mucous saliva, aiding in lubrication and swallowing.

Sublingual glands

Under your tongue, these produce mostly mucous saliva, keeping your mouth moist and comfortable.

Bolus

Wettened mass of food produced in the mouth

Esophagus

Tubular organ that connects the mouth to the stomach.

Peristalsis

Wavelike motion created by smooth muscles in the esophagus

Gastro-esophageal sphincter

Circular smooth muscles that relax in response to swallowing and pressure, providing entry into the stomach

Stomach

Saclike organ that secretes gastric digestive juices; highly acidic for the chemical breakdown of food and extraction of nutrients.

Pepsinogen

Inactive form of pepsin secreted by chief cells

Chyme

Mixture of partially digested food and gastric juices

Villi

Fingerlike projections on internal surface of the small intestine

Microvilli

Fingerlike projections on apical surface of villi.

Bile

Emulsifies lipids; produced by the liver

Pancreatic juices

Contains variety of digestive enzymes; produced by the pancreas

Intestinal juices

Adds alkalinity (bicarbonate) and contains variety of digestive enzymes; produced by the small intestine

Colon

Houses many bacteria (intestinal flora) that aid in further digestion

Rectum

Store feces until defecation

Salivary glands

Produce saliva.

Liver

Produce bile.

Pancreas

Assists in reducing the acidity of chyme; produces pancreatic juice and digestive enzymes.

Ingestion

Taking in food through the mouth.

Digestion

Food must be broken down into smaller particles to allow for absorption.

Elimination

Removes undigested food material.

Constipation

Hardened feces due to excess water removal in colon

Diarrhea

Insufficient removal of water in colon.

Emesis (vomiting)

Elimination of food via forceful expulsion through the mouth.

Macronutrients

Molecules that plants need in relatively large amounts.

Micronutrients

Required in relatively small quantities; deficiency can generate severe effects on plant growth and development.

Photosynthesis

Process that converts solar energy into chemical energy.

Autotrophs

Sustain themselves without eating anything derived from other organisms

Heterotrophs

Obtain their organic material from other organisms

Parasitic

Parasites obtain organic compounds from another living organism of a different species (host)

Saprotrophic

Organisms feed on dead organisms or non-living organic matter (saprophytes)

Holozoic

Ingest food that is mechanically broken down and is subsequently digested by enzymes produced within organisms

Epiphytes

Grow on other plants, but do not harm their host