CIE IGCSE Biology 7.1 Human Diet & Digestion

These flashcards cover the essential vocabulary and concepts related to human diet and digestion for the CIE IGCSE Biology course.

Balanced Diet

A diet that consists of all food groups in the correct proportions.

Scurvy

A severe vitamin C deficiency resulting in anemia, exhaustion, bleeding, and gum issues.

Rickets

A condition in children characterized by poor bone development due to a lack of vitamin D.

Digestive System

An organ system responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.

Ingestion

The process of taking food and drink into the body through the mouth.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of large, insoluble molecules into small, soluble molecules.

Emulsification

The breakdown of large drops of fat into smaller ones, enhancing the efficiency of lipid digestion.

Hydrochloric Acid

A component of gastric juice that kills bacteria and provides an acidic environment for enzyme activity.

Amylases

Enzymes that break down starch into simpler sugars, produced in the mouth and pancreas.

Proteases

Enzymes that digest proteins into amino acids in the stomach and small intestine.

Lipases

Enzymes that break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol, produced in the pancreas.

Absorption

The process of moving digested food molecules from the digestive system into the blood or lymph.

Villi

Tiny, finger-like projections in the ileum that increase surface area for efficient absorption.

Egestion

The process of expelling undigested food from the body as feces.

Fiber

A type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest, aiding in digestion and preventing constipation.

Vitamins

Organic compounds essential for various metabolic processes and overall health, often classified into water-soluble and fat-soluble.

Minerals

Inorganic elements that play crucial roles in bodily functions, including bone health and nerve transmission.

Caloric Intake

The total number of calories consumed through food and drinks, important for maintaining energy balance.

Malnutrition

A condition resulting from an unbalanced diet, either too little or too much of necessary nutrients.

Antioxidants

Compounds that help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress.

Mouth

The entry point of the digestive system where ingestion takes place and initial digestion begins through chewing and saliva.

Esophagus

A muscular tube connecting the mouth to the stomach, responsible for transporting food through peristalsis.

Stomach

A hollow organ that holds food while it is mixed with stomach enzymes and acids, initiating the process of chemical digestion.

Small Intestine

A long, coiled organ where most digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs, consisting of three parts: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Large Intestine

The final section of the digestive system, responsible for the absorption of water and electrolytes, and the formation of feces.

Pancreas

An organ that produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, as well as hormones like insulin and glucagon.

Liver

A vital organ that processes nutrients, detoxifies harmful substances, and produces bile for fat digestion.

Gallbladder

A small organ that stores and concentrates bile from the liver, releasing it into the small intestine to aid digestion.