Major Digestive Glands
* Salivary Glands:
* Secretion: Saliva, a mixture of:
* Water: Moistens food, aids in swallowing.
* Mucus: Lubricates food, aids in swallowing.
* Amylase: Begins carbohydrate digestion (breaks down starch into sugars).
* Lysozyme: Antibacterial enzyme.
* Liver:
* Secretion: Bile, a fluid that:
* Emulsifies fats: Breaks down large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing surface area for digestion by enzymes.
* Helps with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
* Gallbladder:
* Secretion: Stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.
* Pancreas:
* Secretion: Pancreatic juice, a mixture of:
* Pancreatic amylase: Continues carbohydrate digestion.
* Trypsin and chymotrypsin: Digest proteins.
* Lipase: Digests fats.
* Sodium bicarbonate: Neutralizes acidic chyme (partially digested food) from the stomach.
Minor Digestive Glands
* Gastric glands:
* Secretion: Gastric juice, a mixture of:
* Hydrochloric acid (HCl): Activates pepsin, kills bacteria, breaks down food.
* Pepsin: Begins protein digestion.
* Mucus: Protects the stomach lining from HCl and digestive enzymes.
Other Important Secretions
* Small Intestine: Secretes enzymes that further digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
* Large Intestine: Secretes mucus to lubricate waste material.
Key Point: Each gland's secretion plays a vital role in breaking down food, preparing it for absorption, and protecting the digestive tract from damage.
