What nutrient is digested in the stomach?
The digestive process
| Organ | Movement | Food Particles Broken Down |
|---|---|---|
| Esophagus | Peristalsis | None |
| Stomach | Upper muscle in stomach relaxes to let food enter, and lower muscle mixes food with digestive juice | Proteins |
| Small intestine | Peristalsis | Starches, proteins, and carbohydrates |
| Pancreas | None | Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins |
Does gastric juice digest fats?
The glands in the stomach lining produce stomach acid and an enzyme that digests protein. Pancreas. The pancreas produces a juice containing several enzymes that break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in food.
What is the main component of digestive juices?
Gastric juice is made up of water, electrolytes, hydrochloric acid, enzymes, mucus, and intrinsic factor. Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid secreted by the parietal cells, and it lowers your stomach’s pH to around 2.
How does gastric juice aid in digestion?
Gastric juice renders food particles soluble, initiates digestion (particularly of proteins), and converts the gastric contents to a semiliquid mass called chyme, thus preparing it for further digestion in the small intestine.
What digestive enzyme is made in the stomach?
In the stomach, pepsin is the main digestive enzyme attacking proteins. Several other pancreatic enzymes go to work when protein molecules reach the small intestine. Lipase is produced in the pancreas and small intestine.
What will happen if digestive system stops functioning?
An unhealthy digestive system can impair your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, store fat and regulate blood sugar. Insulin resistance or the urge to overeat due to decreased nutrient absorption might cause weight gain. On the other hand, weight loss may be a result of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.