Terms List and Analysis
Abdominal cavity
-
One of the major compartments of the body, the abdominal cavity houses the
gastrointestinal tract.
Absorption
-
The stage of digestion during which nutrients are transported into the
blood
stream.
Active Transport
-
The mechanism of transport during absorption that requires an
electrochemical gradient and energy to
transport nutrients into the blood stream.
Amylase
-
An enzyme produced by the pancreas that is responsible for the degradation
of
carbohydrates.
Assimilation
-
The stage of digestion during which nutrients are delivered to the rest
of the body.
Bicarbonate
-
A basic electrolyte that is produced by the exocrine pancreas,
bicarbonateaids in
maintaining neutrality in the small intestine.
Brush Border Membrane
-
The highly specialized invaginated mucosa of the small intestine that is
responsible for the absorption of many
nutrients.
Cecum
-
The dilated entrance to the colon.
Cephalic Phase
-
The first phase of gastric acid secretion whereby gastric acid is secreted
in response to chewing.
Chyme
-
The result of mixing food bolus with acid in
the stomach.
Colon
-
The large intestine.
Diffusion
-
The process of absorption occurring across a gradient that does not
require energy.
Digestion
-
The process by which large food particles are broken down into nutrients
through mechanical and chemical
degradation.
Duodenum
-
The first portion of the small intestine.
Electrolytes
-
Anions and cations found in the blood stream.
Elimination
-
The stage of digestion whereby waste products are eliminated.
Enzymes
-
Molecules responsible for breaking down proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates.
Epithelium
-
The layer of cells that lines the intestine.
Gastric Phase
-
The phase of gastric acid secretion that is stimulated by distension of the
stomach by food in the stomach.
Ileum
-
The third portion of the small intestine.
Intestinal Phase
-
The phase of gastric acid secretion that is stimulated by protein in the
small intestine.
Jejunum
-
The second portion of the small intestine.
Lipase
-
An enzyme produced by the pancreas responsible for the digestion of fats.
Lymphatics
-
The series of connections of vessels that transport cells of the immune
system
throughout the body.
Mass Movements
-
The peristaltic contractions that occur in response to a food bolus or
stool.
Micelle
-
A complex molecule made in the liver that aids in transporting fat
degradation products into the blood
stream.
Migrating Motor Complex
-
The peristaltic contractions that occur constantly throughout the digestive
tract.
Mucosa
-
The lining of the intestinal lumen.
Muscularis Externa
-
The middle layer of the intestinal tract.
Nutrients
-
The final products of digestion that are absorbed into the blood stream.
Passive Transport
-
The mechanism of transport of nutrients into the blood stream that requires
a gradient or carrier molecule.
Pepsin
-
An enzyme produced in the stomach responsible for protein
degradation.
Peristalsis
-
The squeezing mechanism of the gastrointestinal tract that keeps the
contents of the lumen
in constant motion from the
mouth to the anus.
Salivary Amylase
-
The enzyme produced by the salivary glands responsible for starch
degradation.
Secretion
-
The stage of digestion during which materials needed for digestion
are released into the lumen
of the intestine.
Serosa
-
The outer layer of the intestinal tract.
Sphincter
-
A specialized circular muscle that serves a gate-keeping function
that prevents the free passage of material.
Thoracic Cavity
-
The compartment of the body containing the heart, lungs, and
mediastinum.
