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What process occurs when nutrients become part of body tissues?
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Assimilation
What is chyme and where is it formed?
Chyme is a mixture of partially digested food and gastric juices, formed in the stomach.
Explain the significance of surface area in the process of digestion.
Increased surface area from chewing allows enzymes easier access to break down food efficiently.
Why is the formation of a food bolus important during ingestion?
It facilitates easier swallowing and movement down the esophagus.
Which part of the small intestine is primarily involved in chemical digestion, and what occurs there?
The duodenum is involved in chemical digestion, where enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver further break down food.
What is the function of goblet cells in the esophagus?
To secrete mucus, facilitating the smooth passage of food.
List the four types of adult human teeth and their primary functions.
Incisors for cutting, canines for tearing, premolars for grinding, and molars for main grinding.
Describe the role of the cardiac sphincter in the digestive system.
It allows food to enter the stomach from the esophagus and prevents acid reflux.
What is the primary role of the mucus in the stomach?
To protect the stomach lining from being eroded by acid and to provide moisture.
How does mechanical digestion differ from chemical digestion?
Mechanical digestion involves physical breakdown (churning, grinding), while chemical digestion involves enzymes breaking down food into monomers.
What triggers the release of gastric juices in the stomach?
The hormone gastrin.
How does the structure of the esophagus aid in food movement?
It uses peristalsis, wave-like muscle contractions, to move food towards the stomach.
What is the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?
To break down proteins, kill pathogens, and provide an acidic environment for enzyme activity.
Identify the three pairs of salivary glands and their locations.
Parotid gland (behind ears), sublingual gland (under the tongue), and submandibular gland (in the lower jaw).
Name the structure that prevents food from entering the airways during swallowing.
Epiglottis
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