B2 - The Digestive System Flashcards
What is the function of the gullet?
It has rings of muscles to push food down into the stomach.
What is the function of the Salivary Gland? What substance is found here?
To begin chemical digestion by means of a carbohydrase called amylase and to moisten the food.
What happens in the stomach? What substances are inside?
Enzymes (Protease) are there to break down the food.
Hydrochloric Acid is there to kill any bacteria.
What happens in the Liver and Gall Bladder?
Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder.
What does the Pancreas do? What enzymes does it have inside?
To control the blood sugar levels.
It has all three enzymes - Carbohydrase, Protease and Lipase.
What happens in the Small Intestine? What enzymes are there?
ABSORPTION of the nutrients so they can be taken to the bloodstream.
All three enzymes are in the small intestine - protease, lipase and carbohydrase.
What happens in the large intestine?
It absorbs the water.
What is the function of Enzymes in the digestive system?
They help to break down LARGE, INSOLUBLE molecules into SMALL, SOLUBLE molecules which can pass into the bloodstream.
Why do Vitamins and Minerals not need to be broken down?
They are already small and soluble.
What does Carbohydrase turn Carbohydrates into?
Glucose.
What does Lipase turn fats into?
Fatty acids and glycerol.
What does Protease turn proteins into?
Amino Acids.
What is the function of Hydrochloric Acid in the Digestive System?
- to kill any bacteria in the stomach.
* released from pits in the stomach to keep the stomach acidic at pH 2-3 for protease to work best.
What is the function of Bile in the digestive sytem? Where is it produced?
Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder.
Enzymes in the small intestine prefer an alkaline pH so it is emptied into the small intestine to neutralise the stomach acid.
It also emulsifies large globules of fats into smaller droplets which gives them a smaller surface area so the Lipase enzyme works best.
