digestive juice
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * Secretions that aid digestion: A fluid produced by glands in the digestive system that contains enzymes and other substances to break down food into nutrients the body can absorb.
Usage
- The primary function of digestive juice is to chemically decompose food in the stomach and intestines.
- It is a general term encompassing specific secretions like gastric acid, bile, and pancreatic juice.
Examples
- The stomach lining secretes digestive juice to begin breaking down proteins.
- A lack of sufficient digestive juice can lead to indigestion and poor nutrient absorption.
Advanced Usage
- "The action of digestive juice": Refers to the chemical process of digestion facilitated by these secretions.
- The action of digestive juice transforms solid food into a liquid mixture called chyme.
Variants and Related Words
- Digestive enzyme (n): A specific protein within digestive juice that catalyzes the breakdown of food molecules (e.g., pepsin, amylase).
- Gastric juice (n): The digestive juice secreted by the stomach, primarily containing hydrochloric acid and pepsin.
- Pancreatic juice (n): The alkaline digestive juice from the pancreas, containing enzymes that digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Synonyms
- Digestive secretion: A more formal, scientific term with the same meaning.
Noun
- secretions that aid digestion