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7.2.6: Key Terms

  • Page ID
    97217
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    alimentary canal
    tubular digestive system with a mouth and anus
    aminopeptidase
    protease that breaks down peptides to single amino acids; secreted by the brush border of small intestine
    anus
    exit point for waste material
    bile
    digestive juice produced by the liver; important for digestion of lipids
    bolus
    mass of food resulting from chewing action and wetting by saliva
    carboxypeptidase
    protease that breaks down peptides to single amino acids; secreted by the brush border of the small intestine
    carnivore
    animal that consumes animal flesh
    cephalic phase
    first phase of digestion, controlled by the neural response to the stimulus provided by food
    cholecystokinin
    hormone that stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder to release bile
    chylomicron
    small lipid globule
    chyme
    mixture of partially digested food and stomach juices
    chymotrypsin
    pancreatic protease
    digestion
    mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into small organic fragments
    dipeptidase
    protease that breaks down peptides to single amino acids; secreted by the brush border of small intestine
    duodenum
    first part of the small intestine where a large part of digestion of carbohydrates and fats occurs
    elastase
    pancreatic protease
    endocrine system
    system that controls the response of the various glands in the body and the release of hormones at the appropriate times
    esophagus
    tubular organ that connects the mouth to the stomach
    essential nutrient
    nutrient that cannot be synthesized by the body; it must be obtained from food
    gallbladder
    organ that stores and concentrates bile
    gastric inhibitory peptide
    hormone secreted by the small intestine in the presence of fatty acids and sugars; it also inhibits acid production and peristalsis in order to slow down the rate at which food enters the small intestine
    gastric phase
    digestive phase beginning once food enters the stomach; gastric acids and enzymes process the ingested materials
    gastrin
    hormone which stimulates hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach
    gastrovascular cavity
    digestive system consisting of a single opening
    gizzard
    muscular organ that grinds food
    herbivore
    animal that consumes a strictly plant diet
    ileum
    last part of the small intestine; connects the small intestine to the large intestine; important for absorption of B-12
    ingestion
    act of taking in food
    intestinal phase
    third digestive phase; begins when chyme enters the small intestine triggering digestive secretions and controlling the rate of gastric emptying
    jejunum
    second part of the small intestine
    lactase
    enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose
    large intestine
    digestive system organ that reabsorbs water from undigested material and processes waste matter
    lipase
    enzyme that chemically breaks down lipids
    liver
    organ that produces bile for digestion and processes vitamins and lipids
    maltase
    enzyme that breaks down maltose into glucose
    mineral
    inorganic, elemental molecule that carries out important roles in the body
    monogastric
    digestive system that consists of a single-chambered stomach
    omnivore
    animal that consumes both plants and animals
    pancreas
    gland that secretes digestive juices
    pepsin
    enzyme found in the stomach whose main role is protein digestion
    pepsinogen
    inactive form of pepsin
    peristalsis
    wave-like movements of muscle tissue
    proventriculus
    glandular part of a bird’s stomach
    rectum
    area of the body where feces is stored until elimination
    roughage
    component of food that is low in energy and high in fiber
    ruminant
    animal with a stomach divided into four compartments
    salivary amylase
    enzyme found in saliva, which converts carbohydrates to maltose
    secretin
    hormone which stimulates sodium bicarbonate secretion in the small intestine
    small intestine
    organ where digestion of protein, fats, and carbohydrates is completed
    somatostatin
    hormone released to stop acid secretion when the stomach is empty
    sphincter
    band of muscle that controls movement of materials throughout the digestive tract
    stomach
    saclike organ containing acidic digestive juices
    sucrase
    enzyme that breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose
    trypsin
    pancreatic protease that breaks down protein
    villi
    folds on the inner surface of the small intestine whose role is to increase absorption area
    vitamin
    organic substance necessary in small amounts to sustain life

    7.2.6: Key Terms is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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