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chemical reaction
a process that changes one set of molecules into a new set of substances
reactants
the elements or compounds that enter into a chemical reaction
products
the elements or compounds produced by a chemical reaction
activation energy
the amount of energy that the reactants will have to absorb in order to break the bonds holding the atoms together
catalyst
a substance that will make a reaction take place more rapidly and at a lower temperature
enzyme
organic molecules (proteins) that act as catalysts. essential for the functioning of any cell.
substrate
the reactants of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction
active site
the pocket or indentation where the substrate fits in an enzyme
enzyme-substrate complex
the enzyme and substrate bonded together with intermolecular forces, remaining bound until the reaction reaches completion.
2 types of specific enzyme inhibitors
competitive and noncompetitive
2 types of non-specific inhibitors
pH and temperature
denature
when a protein (enzyme) loses it original shape due to a deviation in optimal pH or temp., leaving the enzyme unable to bind w/ substrates
ingestion
consumption of a substance (first step in digestion)
digestion
process of breaking down food into molecular particles of usable size
absoprtion
process by which the products of digestion are absorbed by capillaries to be supplied to the rest of the body
elimination
discharging/excreting waste products from the body
mechanical digestion
physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller pieces
chemical digestion
enzymes break down food into small molecules the body can use
peristalsis
the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the digestive system, creating wave-like movements that push the contents forward
mouth
where digestion begins (both chem. and mech. digestion present)
teeth
aids with mechanical digestion in the mouth by slicing, tearing, and grinding food
saliva
aids with chemical digestion in the mouth as it contains amylase
esophagus
muscular tube which connects the oral cavity to the stomach
stomach
sac-like organ in the upper-half of the abdomen. place of both chem. (enzymes and acid) and mech. (muscular churning) digestion
chyme
pulpy acidic fluid which passes from the stomach to the small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food.
villus
folds in the small intestine that increase surface area, allowing for absorption of nutrients into capillaries
pancreas
produces hormones that regulate blood sugar, produces enzymes, and produces sodium bicarbonate
liver
produces bile, stores fat and sugar as reserve energy sources, converts harmful substances to less toxic forms, and regulates the amount of blood in the body
small intestine
narrow tube that completes chem. digestion and absorbs nutrients into blood
large intestine
a.k.a. the colon, reabsorbs water and vitamins, compacts material that’s left into feces
gallbladder
stores and concentrates bile, then releases it into the small intestine (duodenum)
salivary amylase
produced by salivary glands in the mouth, role in the initial digestion carbs (starch, glycogen) into simple sugars. functions optimally in a slightly acidic to neutral pH
lipase
central role in the breakdown and digestion of fats. produced mainly by the pancreas. primarily active in the small intestine. functions optimally in slightly alkaline to neutral pH.
pepsin
a protease secreted in the stomach. the principal enzyme involved in protein breakdown. functions optimally in acidic pH.
trypsin
a protease produced in the pancreas and released into the small intestine. key role in the breakdown of protein. functions optimally in alkaline pH. neutralizes the acidic chyme coming from the stomach
exothermic (energy-releasing) reactions
reactants that have middle level energy, absorb energy, then create products w/ lower energy than initial reactants
endothermic (energy-absorbing) reactions
reactants that have low level energy, absorb a lot of energy, then create products w/ higher energy than initial reactants