3

Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism

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Objectives
 Describe the processes of digestion,
absorption, and metabolism.
 Name the organs in the digestive system and
describe their functions.
 Name the enzymes or digestive juices
secreted by each organ and gland in the
digestive system.
 Calculate your basal metabolic rate (BMR).

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METABOLISM
 the use of the food by the body after digestion
which results in energy

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Digestion
 The breakdown of food in the body in
preparation for absorption
2 actions:
1. Mechanical digestion: food is broken into
smaller pieces by teeth and moved along the
gastrointestinal tract by peristalsis.

PERISTALSIS
 rhythmical movement of the intestinal tract;

moves the chyme along

(continues)
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 Digestion
2. Chemical digestion: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
are broken down into nutrients that tissues can absorb and
use.
HYDROLYSIS
 the addition of water resulting in the breakdown of the
molecule
ENZYMES
 organic substances that cause changes in other substances
CATALYST
 a substance that causes another substance to react
PANCREAS
 gland that secretes enzymes essential for digestion and
(continues)
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insulin, which is essential for glucose metabolism
(continued)

Digestion
 Chemical changes occur through hydrolysis.
 Enzymes act on food substances, causing
them to break down into simple compounds.
 An enzyme can act as a catalyst, which
speeds up the chemical reactions without
itself being changed in the process.

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2

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Digestion in the Mouth
 Enzyme (salivary amylase) acts on starch.
 Teeth break up food; food mixes with saliva.
 Bolus formed.
 Length of time food is in mouth is brief
BOLUS
 food in the mouth that is ready to be
swallowed
SALIVARY AMYLASE
 also called ptyalin; the enzyme secreted by
the salivary glands to act on starch 3-9
 Digestion in the Mouth
 Food is normally held in the mouth for such a
short time that only small amounts of
carbohydrates are chemically changed there.
 The salivary glands also secrete a mucous
material that lubricates and binds food particles
to help in swallowing the bolus.

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 Esophagus
 Food travels through this muscular tube.
 Connects mouth to stomach
 Peristalsis and gravity act to move bolus.
 Cardiac sphincter opens at lower end of
esophagus to allow passage of bolus into
stomach.

CARDIAC SPHINCTER
 the muscle at the base of the esophagus that
prevents gastric reflux from moving into the 3-11

esophagus