NSD 225 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Amylase, Chymotrypsin, Gastrointestinal Tract
12 Sep 2018
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Document Summary
Digestion: the breaking down of foods into absorbable components in the gastrointestinal (gi) tract. Gi tract consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Accessory organs: outside the gi tract that aid in digestion pancreas, liver, and gall bladder secrete digestive juices through ducts into the small intestine. Main roles of the gi tract: break food down into its smallest components, absorb the nutrients, prevent microorganisms or other harmful compounds consumed with food from entering the tissue of the body. Cells lining the gi tract have a very brief life span, function for 3-5 days and then shed into the lumen interior of the intestinal tract. Mechanical digestion: involves chewing, grinding, and breaking food apart and moving it through the gi tract. Chemical digestion: involves digestive juices and enzymes breaking down food into absorbable nutrients that are small enough to enter the cells of the gi tract, blood or lymph tissue.
