Digestion and Nutritional Physiology

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to digestion and nutrition, particularly focusing on lipid digestion, ruminant physiology, and the roles of various microorganisms in digestion.

Bile

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

Emulsification

The process by which bile breaks down large fat droplets into smaller ones, making them easier to mix with digestive fluids.

Micelle

A transport vesicle formed during fat digestion that helps to transport free fatty acids and monoglycerides across the intestinal wall.

Chylomicron

A lipoprotein particle that transports lipids from the intestinal cells to the lymphatic system and eventually into the bloodstream.

Rumen

The largest chamber of a ruminant's stomach, responsible for the fermentation of feed.

Microbial protein

Protein derived from the microbes in the rumen that is beneficial for ruminant animals.

Acidosis

A condition in ruminants resulting from a drop in rumen pH, often due to excessive grain consumption.

Cellulolytic bacteria

Bacteria that digest fiber and produce volatile fatty acids like acetate as byproducts.

Amylolytic bacteria

Bacteria that digest starches and sugars, producing volatile fatty acids like propionate.

Hydrolysis

The chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water, used in the digestion of triglycerides.