Nutrition Chapter 3

What are the 5 basic taste sensations? 

Sweet

Salty

Bitter

Sour

Umami

What is peristalsis?

wave-like contraction of the muscles in the GI tract to move food through.

In what part of the digestive tract does most chemical digestion of food and most absorption of nutrients occur? 

Small Intestine

What are prebiotics?

Non-digestible food components, mostly specialized plant fibers and starches, that feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut and reach the colon intact. They are a food source for probiotics.

Ex: Banana, Barley, Legumes, Oats, Mushrooms, Asparagus

What are probiotics?

Living microorganisms found in foods and dietary supplements that support good health when consumed in sufficient quantities.

Ex: Yogurt, Kefir, Kimchi, Sauerkraut, Kombucha, Apple Cider Vinegar, Sourdough

Are water-soluble nutrients absorbed into the circulatory system?

Yes, Nutrients such as glucose, fructose, galactose (Carbohydrates) and amino acids (Proteins) are absorbed into the circulatory system.

Where are most fat-soluble nutrients absorbed into?

the lymphatic system.

What are gut microbiota?

the collection of microbes found in the GI tract, sometimes called the microflora or gut flora. The genetic material within the microbiota is called the microbiome.

What type of diet helps beneficial colonies of bacteria to thrive in the gut? 

A mix of prebiotic and probiotic foods.

What is the main purpose of the villi in the small intestine? 

Tiny, finger-like projections from the folds that line the inner wall of the small intestine, giving it a velvety texture.

What is the main purpose of the microvilli in the small intestine? 

Tiny, hair-like projections on each cell of every villus that can trap nutrient particles and transport them into the cells; singular microvillus.

What roles does the liver have in digestion?

produces bile to digest fats and processes absorbed nutrients from the digestive tract

What roles does the gallbladder have in digestion?

stores, concentrates, and secretes liver-made bile to help your body digest fats.

What roles does the pancreas have in digestion?

Secretes pancreatic juice; bicarbonate neutralizes acidic gastric juices;

Digestive enzymes break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the small intestine.

What is digestion?

The process by which food is broken down into units for absorption.

Major steps of digestion

Mouth -> Esophagus -> Stomach -> Small Intestine -> Large Intestine 

What digestion occurs in the mouth?

• Chewing & mixing 

• Saliva dissolves salts, sugars, etc. 

• Amylase in saliva begins starch digestion 

• Taste occurs 

What digestion occurs in the esophagus?

no digestion, just transport. Smooth muscles in the esophageal walls create rhythmic, wave-like contractions called peristalsis to push the food downward

What digestion occurs in the stomach?

• Much churning & mixing 

• Chemical digestion of protein begins 

• Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) kills bacteria and denatures (uncoils) proteins

• Pepsin (a protease) begins to break protein chains 

• Some alcohol is absorbed

• Mucus protects the stomach lining

What digestion occurs in the small intestine?

- Bile is released for fat digestion.

•Pancreatic juices act

-Bicarbonate neutralizes Hydrochloric Acid.

-Pancreatic enzymes chemically digest starch, proteins, and fats.

•Enzymes (lactase, maltase, sucrase) digest the disaccharides (lactose, maltose, and sucrose).

What digestion occurs in the large intestine?

turns liquid food waste into solid stool and moves it out of your body

• Water & dissolved salts absorbed

• Bacteria ferment fibers

• some fatty acids produced & absorbed

•Some bacteria make vitamin B12, vitamin K, and biotin

•Waste excreted

Name the digestive enzymes that breakdown carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. 

amylases, proteases, lipases