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Biology IB HL - 6.1 Digestion Part 5

Biology25 CardsCreated about 1 month ago

This deck covers key concepts related to the digestion process, focusing on the role of enzymes, the pancreas, and peristalsis in the human digestive system.

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What initiates starch digestion? What continues the digestive process?

The digestion of starch is initiated by salivary amylase in the mouth and continued by pancreatic amylase in the intestines
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
What initiates starch digestion? What continues the digestive process?
The digestion of starch is initiated by salivary amylase in the mouth and continued by pancreatic amylase in the intestines
Why does starch digestion by amylase not occur in the stomach?
Starch digestion by amylase does not occur in the stomach as the pH is unsuitable for amylase activity (optimal pH ~ 7)
What does amylase digest and what does it convert it into?
Amylase digests amylose into maltose subunits (disaccharide) and digests amylopectin into branched chains called dextrins
What are maltose and dextrin digested by?
Both maltose and dextrin are digested by enzymes (maltase) which are fixed to the epithelial lining of the small intestine
What does the hydrolysis of maltose form?
The hydrolysis of maltose / dextrin results in the formation of glucose monomers
What is the purpose of the hydrolysis of glucose?
Glucose can be hydrolysed to produce ATP (cell respiration) or stored in animals as the polysaccharide glycogen
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Biology IB HL - 6.1 Digestion Part 5
TermDefinition
What initiates starch digestion? What continues the digestive process?
The digestion of starch is initiated by salivary amylase in the mouth and continued by pancreatic amylase in the intestines
Why does starch digestion by amylase not occur in the stomach?
Starch digestion by amylase does not occur in the stomach as the pH is unsuitable for amylase activity (optimal pH ~ 7)
What does amylase digest and what does it convert it into?
Amylase digests amylose into maltose subunits (disaccharide) and digests amylopectin into branched chains called dextrins
What are maltose and dextrin digested by?
Both maltose and dextrin are digested by enzymes (maltase) which are fixed to the epithelial lining of the small intestine
What does the hydrolysis of maltose form?
The hydrolysis of maltose / dextrin results in the formation of glucose monomers
What is the purpose of the hydrolysis of glucose?
Glucose can be hydrolysed to produce ATP (cell respiration) or stored in animals as the polysaccharide glycogen
Is the breakdown of maltose the only source of glucose?
NO | Glucose monomers can also be generated from the breakdown of other disaccharides (such as lactose and sucrose)
What are the 2 functions of the pancreas in relation to the digestion of starch? (brief)
produces pancreatic amylase | produces hormones for glucose regulation
What is the pancreas' role in producing pancreatic amylase?
It produces the enzyme amylase which is released from exocrine glands (acinar cells) into the intestinal tract
What is the pancreas' role in producing hormones involved in glucose regulation?
It produces the hormones insulin and glucagon which are released from endocrine glands (islets of Langerhans) into the blood
What are the hormones involved in glucose regulation and where do they act?
The hormones insulin and glucagon regulate the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream (controls availability to cells)
What is the role of insulin?
Insulin lowers blood glucose levels by increasing glycogen synthesis and storage in the liver and adipose tissues
What is the role of glucagon?
Glucagon increases blood glucose levels by limiting the synthesis and storage of glycogen by the liver and adipose tissues
What form is most food in?
Most food is solid and in the form of large complex molecules which are insolube and chemically inert (not readily usable)
What two key functions does the process of digestion carry out?
It breaks down insoluble molecules into smaller subunits which can be readily absorbed into body tissues It breaks down inert molecules into usable subunits which can be assimilated by cells and reassembled into new products
Why must large molecules be broken down into smaller ones?
Cell membranes are impermeable to large molecules (polypeptides, polysaccharides) unless transport is facilitated by proteins
What is used to model absorption?
The size-specific permeability of cell membranes can be modelled using dialysis tubing (Visking tubing)
What pores does dialysis tubing have?
Dialysis tubing contains pores typically ranging from 1 - 10 nm in diameter and is semi-permeable according to molecular size
What can cross dialysis tubing?
Large molecules such as starch cannot pass through the tubing, however smaller molecules (such as maltose) can cross
How does dialysis tubing differ from the membranes of living organisms?
Unlike the membranes of living cells, dialysis tubing is not selectively permeable based on charge (ions can freely cross)
What is peristalsis?
Peristalsis is series of muscle contractions in the walls of the oesophagus or small intestine that pass like a wave along the alimentary canal
What is the purpose of peristalsis?
This wave forces the bolus of food along the alimentary canal
What controls peristalsis?
These contractions are controlled unconsciously by the autonomic nervous system
What two muscles are involved in peristalsis?
Peristalsis is controlled by circular and longitudinal muscles
What do circular muscles do in peristalsis?
These muscles are smooth muscle (not striated) | Circular muscles contract to reduce the diameter of the lumen of the oesophagus or small intestine