Africa vocab - Digestion - Cellulose

Digestion

The process by which food is broken down into smaller components that can be absorbed by the body.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach, facilitating the movement of food.

Stomach

A hollow organ that holds food while it is being mixed with stomach enzymes and acids for digestion.

Small Intestine

The part of the digestive system where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs.

Large Intestine

The final section of the digestive system, responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter.

Cecum

A pouch connected to the junction of the small and large intestines, playing a role in the fermentation of plant materials.

Dentition

The arrangement or condition of the teeth in a particular species, important for feeding habits.

Incisors

The front teeth primarily used for cutting food.

Canines

The pointed teeth located next to the incisors, used for tearing food.

Premolars

The flat-topped teeth located behind the canines, used for crushing and grinding food.

Molars

The large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth, designed for grinding food.

Herbivore

An organism that primarily consumes plants.

Carnivore

An organism that primarily consumes meat.

Omnivore

An organism that consumes both plants and animals.

Biomass

The total mass of living matter within a given area or volume, often used as a measure of energy in ecosystems.

Energy

The capacity to do work or produce change, essential for all biological processes.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.

Carbohydrate

A macromolecule made up of sugar molecules, serving as a major energy source.

Lipid/Fat

A macromolecule that is hydrophobic and serves as a long-term energy storage and insulation.

Protein

A macromolecule composed of amino acids, essential for structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.

Nucleic Acid

Macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information, such as DNA and RNA.

Element

A pure substance consisting of only one type of atom, which cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Macromolecule

A large molecule composed of thousands of atoms, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Bond (Chemical Bond)

The attraction between atoms that allows the formation of chemical substances.

Reaction

A process in which substances interact to form new substances.

Reactant

A substance that undergoes change during a chemical reaction.

Product

A substance that is formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a unique side chain.

Cellulose

A complex carbohydrate that forms the structural component of plant cell walls, not digestible by humans.