That was a large amount of information we absorbed Tuesday. I like having just one class a week, but by the 2 and a half hour mark, I just can't take in anymore. I hope she reviews the ending information again on Tuesday!
So I understand that the digestive system uses a combination of enzymes and pH in order to break down large items into their most simplest form, so that they may be absorbed. The pH is really important, as I found in my reading...I don't know if it just wasn't emphasized or if I was in the "TOO MUCH INFORMATION" mode during lecture.
In the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus, pH is typically about 6.8, very weakly acidic. Saliva controls pH in this region of the digestive tract. Most digestive enzymes are sensitive to pH and will not function in a low-pH environment like the stomach. Low pH (below 5) indicates a strong acid, while a high pH (above 8) indicates a strong base; the concentration of the acid or base, however, does also play a role.
In the small intestines, the duodenum provides critical pH balancing to activate digestive enzymes. The mucosal tissue of the small intestines is alkaline, creating a pH of about 8.5, thus enabling absorption in a mild alkaline in the environment.
So, those are my thoughts for the day...see you all Tuesday! Aimee
2 comments:
I agree by the two and a half hour mark its time to go..haha..
I didn't realize how important pH was until I read your blog! I also didn't know that saliva controls pH in the digestive tract. So i guess that's good to know! :)
Aimee, I couldn't agree with you more! It seems as though the 2 hour to 2 1/2 hour mark is about all I can take too. Then the notes drastically start dissapearing. But I do like only having one class a week. Gives me more time to study. Not that it does me much god anyway. Good thing I have you my friend! It is really interesting to think of saliva in the way I do now. As kids it was nothing to spit on the ground or "drool" in your sleep...LOL but thinking about the pH factor makes "spit or drool" seem so much cooler than ever before...
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