Lesson 5 - Digestion in the Stomach

Ulcer

An open sore on the stomach wall caused by bacteria or too much gastric juice and too little mucus

Hydrochloric acid

A component of gastric juice that helps create the environment that pepsin needs to break down protein in the stomach.

Tissue

A group of smaller cells that work together to carry out a specific function. Example: the muscle tissue's function is to facilitate movement.

Gastric Juices

A liquid that includes hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsin. It is responsible for the chemical digestion of protein in the stomach.

Heartburn

A painful sensation in the lower esophagus sometimes caused by excess stomach acid (gastric juices)

Chyme

A pulpy mixture of food and gastric juices. Produced in the stomach, from which it passes into the small intestine.

Pepsin

An enzyme in the stomach that breaks down protein.

Peristalsis

Circular and longitudinal layers of muscle that work together to produce wavelike motions that push food slowly through the digestive tract and help break it down into smaller and smaller particles. The wavelike motion is peristalsis.

Pyloric Sphincter

The opening of the small intestines

Cells

The smallest unit of an organism that can function independently

Vomiting

When the stomach becomes upset as a result of a reaction to food or illness, the stomach muscles constrict violently in the opposite direction from normal. (reverse peristalsis)