Digestion and Absorption Flashcards

Flashcards covering vocabulary terms related to digestion, absorption, and gastrointestinal issues.

Salivary Amylase

Digestive enzyme in saliva that starts digesting starch (carbohydrate).

Lingual Lipase

Enzyme in saliva that starts digesting lipids (fats).

Gastric Lipase

Enzyme in gastric juices that digests lipids (fats)

Hydrochloric Acid

Keeps stomach pH low, kills microbes, and converts pepsinogen to pepsin.

Pepsin

Digestive enzyme that digests protein, activated by hydrochloric acid.

Brush Border Enzymes

Enzymes produced by enterocytes in the small intestine, finalizing macronutrient digestion.

Bile

Produced by the liver, stored and concentrated in the gallbladder, helps emulsify fats.

Bicarbonate

Secreted by the pancreas to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Hormone released by intestinal cells that promotes bile release from the gallbladder.

Amino Acids

The smallest components of protein that can be absorbed.

Monosaccharides

The type of carbohydrate that must be broken down from starches for absorption.

Free Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides

The components that triglycerides are broken down into for absorption.

Chylomicron

Carrier molecule for long-chain fatty acids into the lymphatic system.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

General term for conditions involving chronic inflammation of the digestive tract; includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Acid Reflux

Condition that can be caused by large, fatty meals, or pregnancy, leading to increased pressure against the lower esophageal sphincter.

Total Colectomy

A procedure where all of colon is removed.

Ileostomy

A surgically created opening in the ileum to the outside of the body for waste removal.

Crohn's Disease

Inflammation and ulceration can be in all layers of the GI tract; most commonly found in the ascending colon and ileum.

Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammation and ulceration of the large intestine or colon. in the mucosa layer.

Fistula

An abnormal connection or passageway between two organs or vessels that normally do not connect