Alimentary canal - The continuous muscular tube that runs from the mouth to the anus and through which food passes; includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus., Peristalsis - Coordinated, wave like contractions of the smooth muscle in the walls of the alimentary canal that propel food and digestive contents forward., Mechanical digestion - The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces (e.g., chewing, grinding in the stomach) that increases surface area for chemical digestion., Chemical digestion - The enzymatic breakdown of complex food molecules (polymers) into smaller absorbable units (monomers) such as proteins → amino acids, carbohydrates → simple sugars, and fats → fatty acids and monoglycerides, Enzyme - A biological protein catalyst that speeds up specific chemical reactions in digestion, such as amylase (breaks down starch), pepsin (breaks down proteins in the stomach), and lipase (breaks down fats)., Chyme - The semi fluid mixture of partially digested food and digestive secretions produced in the stomach and delivered to the small intestine., Small intestine - The primary site of chemical digestion and nutrient absorption, composed of three parts: duodenum (where most chemical digestion occurs), jejunum, and ileum (major sites of absorption)., Absorption - The process by which digested nutrients pass through the intestinal epithelium into blood capillaries or lymphatic vessels for transport to body cells., Bile - A digestive fluid produced by the liver and breakdowns fat., that breaks down Gastric juice - The acidic secretion of the stomach containing hydrochloric acid (HCl), pepsinogen (activated to pepsin), and other components that aid protein digestion and defense against pathogens., Gall Bladder - Stores bile and releases it to digest fats., Enzymes - Proteins that speed up chemical reactions, including digestion., Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract - A long hollow tube from mouth to anus where digestion occurs, Stomach - A muscular organ that stores food and breaks it down using acid and enzymes., Villi - Finger-like structures lining the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption., Large Intestine (Colon) - Absorbs water and forms solid waste., Rectum - Stores solid waste before it leaves the body., Pancreas - Releases digestive enzymes and regulates blood sugar., Accessory Organs - Organs that help digestion but food does not pass through them (liver, gallbladder, pancreas)., Essential Nutrients - Nutrients the body cannot make and must be obtained through food.,

Exploring Digestion

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