Digestive Enzymes and the Digestive System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to enzymes and the digestive system as discussed in the lecture.

Mucosa

The innermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract, involved in absorption and secretion.

Peristalsis

The wave-like muscular movements that propel food through the digestive tract.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of food using enzymes to convert complex molecules into simpler forms.

Amylase

An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.

Pepsin

An enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins into peptides, active in acidic environments.

Villi

Finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Microvilli

Tiny hair-like structures on villi that further increase surface area and contain brush border enzymes.

Chyme

Partially digested food mixed with gastric juices, moving from the stomach to the small intestine.

Lacteal

A lymphatic capillary in the small intestine that absorbs fatty acids and fats.

Trypsin

An enzyme in the small intestine that further breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.

Bile

A digestive fluid produced by the liver that emulsifies fats, aiding in fat digestion.

Segmentation

A type of movement in the small intestine that mixes food and enhances absorption.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharide units, such as sucrose, lactose, and maltose.

Brunner's Glands

Glands in the small intestine that secrete mucus to protect the intestinal lining.

Hydrochloric Acid

An acid produced in the stomach that creates an acidic environment for enzyme activity.

Bicarbonate

A substance secreted by the pancreas that neutralizes gastric acid in the small intestine.

Accessory Glands

Glands such as the liver and pancreas that contribute to digestion by secreting various enzymes and substances.

Brush Border Enzymes

Enzymes located on the microvilli of the small intestine that break down disaccharides into monosaccharides.