PhysiologyLesson 1 of 1 in the course The Body’s Systems

Digestive Tract Function, Nutrient Absorption, and Energy Balance

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Digestion transforms food into smaller molecules that the body can absorb and use. This lesson follows food from the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach, examining both physical and chemical digestion.

Digestion involves physical digestion, which breaks food into smaller pieces, and chemical digestion, which uses enzymes and other secretions to break molecules down. In the oral cavity, or mouth, the teeth chew food through mastication. This increases the food’s exposed surface area, helping digestive chemicals act more effectively.

All flashcards

What is a bolus?
A soft mass of chewed food moistened with saliva and prepared for swallowing.
What is chyme?
The mixture of partially digested food and gastric juice produced in the stomach.
What are villi?
Finger-like projections lining the small intestine that increase its absorptive surface area.
What is an essential nutrient?
A substance that must come from food because the body cannot make enough of it.
What is glycogen?
A stored form of glucose found mainly in the liver and muscles.

Quiz questions

  1. What condition helps activate pepsin in the stomach?Answer: The acidic environment of the stomach.
  2. Which sequence correctly lists the sections of the small intestine?Answer: Duodenum, jejunum, ileum.
  3. What does the colon primarily absorb from undigested material?Answer: Water and mineral salts.
  4. What is the digestive role of bicarbonate in pancreatic juice?Answer: It helps neutralize acidic chyme entering the duodenum.
  5. How much energy does one gram of fat provide, approximately?Answer: Nine calories.

Based on Concepts of Biology by Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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