Digestion, Absorption, and Transport Vocabulary

Flashcards covering terminology related to digestion, absorption, and transport, derived from lecture notes.

Digestive System

All the organs and glands associated with ingestion and digestion of food; coordinated and integrated with circulatory, nervous, and hormonal systems.

Digestion

The breakdown of food into absorbable nutrients, which can then be broken down further for energy.

Absorption

The uptake of nutrients by cells of the small intestine for transport into the blood or lymph.

Lumen

The inner space of the gastrointestinal tract, beginning at the mouth and ending at the anus.

Epiglottis

Closes airway to lungs to prevent choking.

Bolus

Mass of swallowed food.

Chyme

Semiliquid mass of partially digested food.

GI motility

Spontaneous movement of GI tract that aids in digestion and transit of its contents.

Segmentation

Inner circular muscles contract in the small intestine to mix chyme with digestive juices.

Peristalsis

Outer longitudinal muscles push chyme forward.

Saliva

Contributes to starch digestion via salivary amylase; lubricates the inside of the mouth to assist in swallowing.

Mucus

Protects the cells lining the innermost portion of the digestive tract; lubricates food as it travels through the digestive tract.

Enzymes

Promotes digestion of food masses into particles small enough for absorption into the bloodstream.

Acid (Gastric Juice)

Promotes digestion of protein.

Bile

Suspends fat in water, using bile salts, cholesterol, and lecithin to aid digestion of fats in the small intestine.

Bicarbonate

Neutralizes stomach acid when it reaches the small intestine.

Hormones

Stimulate production and/or release of acid, enzymes, bile, and bicarbonate; help to regulate peristalsis.

Saliva

Fluid eases swallowing; salivary enzyme breaks down some carbohydrate.

Gastric Juice

Fluid mixes with bolus; hydrochloric acid uncoils proteins; enzymes break down proteins; mucus protects stomach cells.

Pancreatic Juice

Bicarbonate neutralizes acidic gastric juices; pancreatic enzymes break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Bile

Bile emulsifies fat so that enzymes can have access to break it down.

Intestinal Juice

Intestinal enzymes break down carbohydrate, fat, and protein fragments; mucus protects the intestinal wall.

Probiotics

Live microbes

Prebiotics

Encourage microbial growth

Homeostasis

Maintenance of constant internal conditions

Diarrhea

Frequent watery stools

Constipation

Infrequent or difficult bowel movements

Choking

Food slips into trachea