digestion

Term	Definition
Mechanical Digestion	Physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces (e.g., chewing, stomach churning).
Chemical Digestion	Use of enzymes and acids to break food into its chemical components.
Mouth	Entry point of food; begins both mechanical and chemical digestion.
Pharynx	Throat; connects the mouth to the esophagus.
Saliva	Watery secretion in the mouth that contains enzymes like amylase.
Homeostasis	Maintenance of internal balance (e.g., regulating digestion, nutrient levels).
Amylase	Enzyme in saliva that breaks down starch (carbohydrates) into sugars.
Epiglottis	A flap that covers the trachea when swallowing to prevent choking.
Mastication	The act of chewing food to break it down mechanically.
Bolus	A small rounded mass of chewed food ready to be swallowed.
Gustation	The sense of taste.
Esophagus	Muscular tube that moves food from the pharynx to the stomach.
Chyme	Semi-liquid mixture of partially digested food and digestive juices in the stomach.
Gastroesophageal Sphincter	Valve that prevents stomach contents from moving back into the esophagus.
Peristalsis	Involuntary muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.
Stomach	Muscular organ that mixes food with digestive juices for chemical digestion.
Gastrin	Hormone that stimulates the secretion of gastric acid in the stomach.
Pyloric Sphincter	Valve controlling the flow of chyme from the stomach to the small intestine.
Small Intestine	Organ where most digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs.
Duodenum	First part of the small intestine; receives chyme and digestive enzymes.
Jejunum	Middle section of the small intestine; absorbs nutrients.
Ileum	Final part of the small intestine; absorbs bile salts and vitamin B12.
Nutrient Absorption	Process of transferring nutrients from the intestine into the bloodstream.
Carbohydrates	Macronutrient digested into simple sugars (glucose) for energy.
Proteins	Macronutrient digested into amino acids for body repair and growth.
Fats	Macronutrient digested into fatty acids and glycerol for energy and insulation.
Villi	Tiny finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.
Bloodstream	Circulatory system pathway through which absorbed nutrients travel.
Pepsin	Stomach enzyme that breaks down proteins into peptides.
Lipase	Enzyme that breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
Pancreas	Organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin.
Gallbladder	Organ that stores and releases bile into the small intestine.
Bile	Substance produced by the liver that helps break down fats.
Liver	Organ that produces bile, processes nutrients, and detoxifies blood.
Large Intestine	Absorbs water and electrolytes; forms and stores feces.
Microbiome	Collection of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine that aid digestion.
Water	Absorbed in the large intestine; helps form solid waste.
Cecum	First part of the large intestine; connects to the ileum.
Colon	Main part of the large intestine; absorbs water and forms stool.
Rectum	Final section of the digestive tract; stores feces before defecation.
Defecation	Elimination of feces from the rectum through the anus.