Anatomy: Digestive System Flashcards
What is the function of the digestive system?
Break down food for absorption and distribution of nutrients to the rest of the body
Mouth
The oral cavity at the entry to the alimentary canal
Anus
The opening of the rectum from which solid waste is expelled
Gland
An organ that secretes a substance
Enzymatic digestion
The breakdown of food by enzymes for absorption
Smooth muscle
Muscle that can be found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the stomach intestines
Nervous system
A complex system that controls and affects every part of the body in daily life functions and in the constant drive to maintain homeostasis
Stomach
Organ between the esophagus and small intestine in which the major portion of digestion occurs
Large intestine
Comprised of the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal, it is where vitamins and water are absorbed before feces is stored prior to elimination
Rectum
Last section of the large intestine, ending with the anus
Enzyme
A substance produced by a living thing that acts as a catalyst. A catalyst that speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy; in cells, most enzymes are proteins
Saliva
The clear liquid found in the mouth, also known as spit
Lipase
Pancreatic enzyme that breaks down fat
Lipids
Fatty acids and their derivatives that are insoluble in water
Bolus
A mass of food that has been chewed and swallowed
Mechanical digestion and movement of food through the digestive system is controlled by the ________________ system
Parasympathetic
Where are undigested foods stored?
Rectum
Where does the digestive system start?
Mouth
Where does the digestive system end?
Anus
Define mechanical digestion
Any physical breakdown of food
What initiates chemical digestion?
Lipase
Define chemical digestion
Process where enzymes break down food particles into simple chemicals that can be used by the body
Mechanically breaking down food even further and mix with secretions to form a substance called _ _ _ _ _
Chyme
What are the three main secretions of the stomach?
- Mucus
- Hydrochloric acid
- Pepsinogen
Where is mucus in the stomach?
Lines the stomach
What does hydrochloric acid do?
Creates and acidic environment
What does pepsinogen do once converted into pepsin?
Helps chemically digest proteins in this acidic environment
What are the three parts of the small intestine?
- Duodenum
- Jejunum
- Ileum
Chyme
Semifluid mass of partly digested food that moves from the stomach to the small intestine
Pepsin
A stomach enzyme that breaks down proteins
Small intestine
The part of the GI tract between the stomach and large intestine that includes the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, where digestion and absorption of food occurs
Hydrophilic
Water loving
Liver
The organ that produces bile, regulates glycogen storage, and performs other bodily functions
Amino acids
The monomers that make up proteins
Salt
A chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base, with at least part of the hydrogen of the acid replaced by a cation
Bacteria
Unicellular organisms that are capable of causing disease
Insulin
A hormone that triggers the influx of glucose into cells, thus lowering blood glucose levels
Glucagon
A hormone secreted by the pancreas that stimulates its target cells in the liver to convert hepatic glycogen stores into glucose and release that glucose into the blood
Nerve
A long bundle of neuronal axons that transmits signals to and from the central nervous system
What do the upper parts of the digestive system consist of?
- Salivary glands
- Epiglottis
- Trachea
- Esophagus
What do the lower parts of the digestive system consist of?
- Liver
- Stomach
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
- Large intestine
- Small intestine
- Cecum
- Appendix
