biology Flashcards
Humans are ______ , they must ingest the nutrients they need, including carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
heterotrophs
_____, ______, _____ are made up of
large molecules that must be broken down into simpler forms so that they can be absorbed and
used by the cells.
Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins
______, ______, ______are made up of small molecules that can be
absorbed without digestion.
Vitamins, minerals, and water
Organs of the digestive system are divided into 2 main groups:
the gastrointestinal tract (GI
tract) and accessory structures
is a continuous tube extending from the mouth to the anus – it consists of the
mouth, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.
GI tract
include the teeth, tongue (in oral cavity), salivary glands, liver,
gallbladder, and pancreas.
Accessory structures
Steps in Digestion
Ingestion, Digestion, absorption, assimilation, egestion
taking in of food
through the mouth.
ingestion
which involves
secretion of enzymes for chemical
breakdown of food as well as mechanical
(physical) digestion of food.
Digestion
the passage of
digested food through the intestinal walls
to the blood.
absorption
- Assimilation, the utilization of
smaller particles of nutrients by body
cells.
assimilation
- Egestion, the elimination of
undigested food through the anus.
egestion
makes bile
liver
produce digestive juices in the mouth
salivary glands
churns food and adds digestive juices
stomach
where digestion begins
mouth
removes water and stores solid waste
large intestine
produces digestive juices for final digestion
pancreas
break, grind food into pieces
teeth
site of final digestion; absorbs digested food
small intestine
bile storage
gall bladder
are
stored in the body’s fatty tissue and liver. They help with
processes such as maintaining healthy vision, skin, and
bones, and they support the immune system
Fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamins A, D, E, and K)
are not stored in the body and must be
consumed more regularly. They are crucial for energy
metabolism, making red blood cells, and supporting the
nervous and immune systems
Water-soluble vitamins (Vitamin C and all B
vitamins)
are inorganic elements that are crucial for various physiological processes in the
body.
* _____ are needed in larger amounts
* ______ are required in smaller quantities.
Minerals, Macrominerals, Trace minerals
Vital for strong bones and teeth, muscle contraction, and nerve function
calcuim
helps form bones and teeth and is involved in energy metabolism
phosphorus
Essential for fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction
potassium
Key electrolytes for maintaining fluid balance in the body
sodium and chloride
Important for bone health, protein synthesis, muscle contraction, and
nerve transmission
magnesium
Integral part of hemoglobin in red blood cells, carrying
oxygen; necessary for energy metabolism
Iron
Involved in enzyme function, protein synthesis, wound
healing, and immune system health
zinc
Required for iron metabolism and is part of many
enzymes
copper
Essential for thyroid hormone production, which
regulates growth, development, and metabolism
iodine
examples of macrominerals
calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium
examples of trace minerals
iron, zinc, copper, iodine
also known as lipids, are an essential part of the diet and serve several key functions in the body
fats
Fats provide a dense source of energy, offering 9 calories per gram.
-are stored in adipose tissue and can be broken down to release energy when
needed
energy storage
Fats help to insulate the body to maintain body temperature and protect
vital organs against shock
insulation and protection
Fats are a major component of cell membranes, contributing to cell
structure and function
cell membrane structure
Fats are involved in the creation of hormones that regulate various bodily
processes, such as growth, immune function, and reproduction
hormone production
Fats aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), which are
crucial for health
vitamin absorption
Essential fatty acids are important for cognitive function and brain health
brain function
supply energy to all cells in the body.
carbohydrates
Most dietary carbohydrates are digested and broken down
into ____ and enters the bloodstream and is taken up by cells.
glucose
Sometimes food can take ____ days to be fully digested and
absorbed by the body
2 or 3 days
the body parts
involved in the digestion
process
- The mouth
- esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Colon
- Anus
is secreted from salivary
glands in the mouth. It contains the
enzyme amylase which helps break
down starch into simple sugars
saliva
When food is swallowed, the muscles in the
esophagus contract and relax, helping to push
the food down into the stomach. These waves
of muscular contractions which move food
along the digestive system are called ___
peristalsis