3. Carbohydrates A. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the oral
cavity. Name the enzyme that initiates carbohydrate digestion. Name
the 3 sets of organs that secrete this enzyme. B. Describe how
carbohydrates are chemically digested in the small intestine.
Include a discussion of brush border enzymes. C. Does the pancreas
release any enzymes which chemically digest carbohydrates? If yes,
name it (them). How does pancreatic juice enter the small
intestine? D. Fiber (AKA cellulose in plant cell walls) is not
digestible. Why not? Despite not being digestible, fiber is
beneficial to our health. Why?
4. Proteins A. Where are proteins first digested chemically?
What enzyme initiates protein digestion? B. Does the pancreas
release any enzymes that chemically digest proteins? If yes, name
it (them). C. Describe 3 ways in which the body uses these protein
subunits.
5. Fats A. Chemical digestion of lipids occurs primarily in the
small intestine. Before enzymes can break down fats like
triglycerides (the most common type of fat in our foods), they must
undergo emulsification. Describe the process of emulsification.
Name the substance which performs this job. Name the organ that
synthesizes this substance. Name the organ which stores and
concentrates this substance. How does this substance get into the
duodenum of the small intestine? B. After fats are emulsified, they
are chemically digested. What is the general name for enzymes which
digest fats? Name all of the organs which synthesize and secrete
this enzyme into the digestive tract. C. Cholesterol is a type of
fat. Why is it important to have some cholesterol in our diets? Why
is it important not to have too much cholesterol in our diets?
6. Waste Production A. The large intestine AKA colon is the
digestive organ which produces feces. Starting with the cecum and
ending with the anus, name ALL parts of the large intestine in
order. B. How does the large intestine convert liquid waste from
the small intestine into solid waste to be eliminated from the
body? C. Name 5 components of fecal matter. NOTE that the small
intestine absorbs ALL of the digestible carbohydrates, proteins,
and fats in our diets; thus, these nutrients must NOT be in your
list.