Biology 1108 Lecture #9: Animal Nutrition & Digestive System

Flashcards covering key concepts related to animal nutrition and the digestive system from the lecture notes.

Essential Nutrients

Nutrients required for normal body functioning that cannot be synthesized by the body, including essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, essential inorganic molecules, and essential organic molecules.

Essential Amino Acids

Eight amino acids that cannot be produced by humans and must be obtained through diet.

Linoleic Acid

An essential fatty acid that cannot be produced by humans.

Vitamins

Organic molecules that are essential for various bodily functions; some function as coenzymes.

Vitamin A

A vitamin important for vision, immunity, and reproduction, with deficiency leading to blindness and toxicity causing bone fractures.

Calcium

A mineral essential for bone and teeth formation, muscle contraction, and nerve function.

Phosphorus

A mineral critical for energy metabolism, involved in the structure of DNA and cell membranes.

Digestion

The process of breaking down food into small nutrient molecules through mechanical and chemical means.

Absorption

The process by which small nutrient molecules are taken up into the cells from the digestive tract.

Peristalsis

Involuntary wave-like muscle contractions that move food along the digestive tract.

Acid Chyme

A mixture of food, liquids, and digestive enzymes in the stomach with a low pH.

Gastric Juices

Digestive fluids produced in the stomach, containing hydrochloric acid and enzymes.

Small Intestine

The major organ for digestion and absorption, divided into three sections: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Large Intestine

The part of the digestive system where water is absorbed and waste is prepared for elimination.

Herbivores

Animals that primarily consume plant material and have longer intestines to digest cellulose.

Carnivores

Animals that primarily consume meat and have shorter intestines due to easier digestion.

Appendicitis

An inflammation of the appendix, often due to infection.

Ulcers

Erosions of the mucous and epithelial lining of the alimentary canal.

Diarrhea

A condition characterized by increased water in feces, often due to decreased water absorption.

Constipation

A condition where fecal waste becomes hardened due to excessive water reabsorption.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that are necessary for health but cannot be synthesized by the body. They include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which play crucial roles in brain function and cell growth.

Essential Inorganic Molecules

Minerals and trace elements needed for various bodily functions. Examples include iron, zinc, and magnesium, which are critical for enzyme function and metabolic processes.

Essential Organic Molecules

Complex organic compounds that the body cannot synthesize on its own. Examples include certain carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids that must be obtained through diet for energy and structure.

Digestion Process

The multi-step biological process that involves the intake of food, mechanical breakdown in the mouth, enzymatic degradation in the stomach, absorption of nutrients primarily in the small intestine, and elimination of waste through the large intestine.

Food Processing in the Stomach

In the stomach, food is mixed with gastric juices to form a semi-liquid substance called chyme, which facilitates further digestion and the absorption of nutrients as it moves into the small intestine.

Role of Enzymes in Digestion

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up the chemical reactions involved in digestion. For instance, amylase breaks down carbohydrates, proteases break down proteins, and lipases digest fats.

Balanced Diet

A diet that provides all essential nutrients in the right proportions, promoting optimal health and preventing nutrient deficiencies. It includes a variety of foods from different food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy.

Digestive Disorders

Health issues that affect the digestive system, including conditions like GERD, IBS, and Crohn's disease, which can impede proper digestion and nutrient absorption.