Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the role of villi in the intestines?
What is the role of villi in the intestines?
Which enzyme is primarily involved in protein digestion in the stomach?
Which enzyme is primarily involved in protein digestion in the stomach?
What is the primary function of pancreatic juice?
What is the primary function of pancreatic juice?
Which type of carbohydrate is lactose considered?
Which type of carbohydrate is lactose considered?
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Where does the majority of nutrient absorption occur in the digestive system?
Where does the majority of nutrient absorption occur in the digestive system?
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Study Notes
Digestion Flowchart
- Mouth (Buccal Cavity): Food is mechanically broken down. Salivary amylase (or ptyalin) begins the chemical digestion of starch into maltose.
- Oesophagus: Food (now a bolus) travels through the oesophagus via peristalsis.
- Stomach: The stomach wall opens and closes, with cardiac sphincter preventing backflow. Gastric juices (containing pepsin) are released. Pepsinogen, activated by HCl, breaks down proteins into peptides. Food remains in the stomach for 3-4 hours.
- Small Intestine: Food enters the small intestine through the pylorus. The small intestine is further divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Intestinal juice and pancreatic juice further digest food with enzymes. Absorption of nutrients occurs.
- Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine occurs via villi.
Small Intestine Details
- Small Intestine Length: 7 meters or 23 feet.
- Villi: Fingerlike projections lining the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption
- Intestinal/Pancreatic Juice: Contains enzymes for further breaking down nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats).
- Enzymes: Examples include lactase, maltase, sucrase, lipase, pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin - Proteins to amino acids - Starches to sugars - Fats to fatty acids and glycerol
- Absorption of Nutrients: Nutrients pass into the bloodstream via villi - Carbohydrates absorbed as simple sugars (monosaccharides) - Proteins as amino acids - Fats as fatty acids and glycerol
- Large Intestine: Absorbs water, and undigested material is stored in the rectum before excretion.
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Description
Explore the intricate process of human digestion through a detailed flowchart. This quiz covers the key stages including the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine, highlighting the role of enzymes and nutrient absorption. Test your knowledge of how food is processed in the body.
