Animal structure Glossary

Glossary

alimentary canal: tubular digestive system with a mouth and anus
anus: exit point for waste material
bile: digestive juice produced by the liver; important for digestion of lipids
bolus: mass of food resulting from chewing action and wetting by saliva
carnivore: animal that consumes animal flesh
chyme: mixture of partially digested food and stomach juices
digestion: mechanical and chemical break down of food into small organic fragments
duodenum: first part of the small intestine where a large part of digestion of carbohydrates and fats occurs
endocrine system: system that controls the response of the various glands in the body and the release of hormones at the appropriate times
esophagus: tubular organ that connects the mouth to the stomach
essential nutrient: nutrient that cannot be synthesized by the body; it must be obtained from food
gallbladder: organ that stores and concentrates bile
gastric inhibitory peptide: hormone secreted by the small intestine in the presence of fatty acids and sugars; it also inhibits acid production and peristalsis in order to slow down the rate at which food enters the small intestine
gastrin: hormone which stimulates hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach
gastrovascular cavity: digestive system consisting of a single opening
gizzard: muscular organ that grinds food
herbivore: animal that consumes strictly plant diet
ileum: last part of the small intestine; connects the small intestine to the large intestine; important for absorption of B-12
ingestion: act of taking in food
jejunum: second part of the small intestine
lactase: enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose
large intestine: digestive system organ that reabsorbs water from undigested material and processes waste matter
lipase: enzyme that chemically breaks down lipids
liver: organ that produces bile for digestion and processes vitamins and lipids
maltase: enzyme that breaks down maltose into glucose
mineral: inorganic, elemental molecule that carries out important roles in the body
monogastric: digestive system that consists of a single-chambered stomach
omnivore: animal that consumes both plants and animals
pancreas: gland that secretes digestive juices
pepsinogen: inactive form of pepsin
pepsin: enzyme found in the stomach whose main role is protein digestion
peristalsis: wave-like movements of muscle tissue
proventriculus: glandular part of a bird’s stomach
rectum: area of the body where feces is stored until elimination
roughage: component of food that is low in energy and high in fiber
ruminant: animal with a stomach divided into four compartments
salivary amylase: enzyme found in saliva, which converts carbohydrates to maltose
small intestine: organ where digestion of protein, fats, and carbohydrates is completed
somatostatin: hormone released to stop acid secretion when the stomach is empty
sphincter: band of muscle that controls movement of materials throughout the digestive tract
stomach: saclike organ containing acidic digestive juices
villi: folds on the inner surface of the small intestine whose role is to increase absorption area
vitamin: organic substance necessary in small amounts to sustain life