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Chapter 3
How Nutrients Become You
Kilocalorie- is the amount of heat needed to raise one kilogram of water one degree Celsius.
Digestion—is the process by which your body breaks down food and the nutrients in food, into simpler .
Enzymes—are a type of protein produced by cells that cause specific chemical reactions. Digestive
enzymes cause food particles to break apart into simpler substances.
Gastrointestinal Tract (GI tract)—as food is digested it passes through a muscular tube leading from the
mouth to the anus.
Mastication—food enters the GI tract through the mouth. Mastication or chewing is the first step in the
digestive process.
Peristalsis—a series of squeezing actions by the muscles in the esophagus, helps move food through the
tube.
Gastric Juices—gastric means stomach. They contain hydrochloric acid, digestive enzymes and mucus. .
Chyme-- The mixture of gastric juices and chewed and swallowed food combine in the stomach.
Bile—the liver is a large gland that sits above the stomach. It produces a digestive juice called bile,
which aids fat digestion.
Feces—Solid wastes that result from digestion. These wastes include mucus, bile pigments, fiber,
sloughed off cells from the lining of the large intestine and water.
Absorption—is the passage of nutrients from the digestive tract into the circulatory or lymphatic
system.
Villi—are tiny, fingerlike projections that give the lining of the small intestine a velvetlike texture.
Metabolism—All chemical changes that occur as cells produce energy and materials needed to sustain
life.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)—is the source of immediate energy found in the muscle tissue. When
the body needs energy, chemical reactions break down ATP to release energy. Every cell makes ATP to
help meet all your energy needs.
Food Allergy—is a reaction of the immune system to certain proteins found in food. The protein that
stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies is called an allergen.
Diarrhea—is frequent expulsion of watery feces. Food sensitivity harmful bacteria and stress are just a
few of the factors that can cause it. Diarrhea causes food to move to quickly through the digestive
system for nutrients to be fully absorbed.
Constipation—occurs when chime moves very slowly through the large intestine. When this happens
too much water is reabsorbed from the chime. This causes the feces to become hard making bowel
movements painful.
Indigestion—is a difficulty in digesting food. It may be causes by stress, eating too much or too fast, or
eating particular foods.
Heartburn—is a burning pain in the middle of the chest but it has nothing to do with the heart. It is
caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. This is known as reflux.
Ulcer—is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or small intestine. This disease is caused by a
bacterium. The area becomes inflamed and the person who has the ulcer experiences a burning pain.
Gallstones—are small crystals that form from bile in the gallbladder. Bile which is produced by the liver
to help digest fat is stored in the gallbladder.
Diverticulosis—is a disorder in which many abnormal pouches form in the intestinal wall. When the
pouches become inflamed this condition is the result.