Biology - Digestive System

Question 1

Function & made up of what tissue?

Answer 1

• Takes in food, digests it, and excretes the remaining wastes
• Digestive tract is made up of muscle, nerve, and epithelial tissue (with goblet cells to secrete mucus)

Question 2

Mucus function

Answer 2

• Protects internal lining of the digestive tract from digestive enzymes used to break down food
• Allows material to pass smoothly along digestive tract

Question 3

Mouth

Answer 3

• Mechanical digestion is carried out by teeth that grinds the food and tongue that pushes the bolus to the pharynx
• Chemical digestion is carried out by digestive enzymes (e.g. amylase) found in saliva produced by salivary glands
• Saliva: moistens food to prevent abrasion in the mouth

Question 4

Esophagus

Answer 4

• Muscular tube connecting the pharynx to the stomach

Question 5

Stomach

Answer 5

• Produces thick lining of mucus to protect stomach
• Lots of nerves to signal to brain we are full
• Stores food
• Mechanical digestion as the stomach churns food
• Chemical digestion as it produces hydrochloric acid (pH 2) and enzymes to breakdown food further

Question 6

Intestines

Answer 6

• Made up of smooth muscle that contract and relax to move substances through (i.e. peristalsis)
• Contains capillaries

Question 7

Small Intestines

Answer 7

• 6 meters long and narrow

- Most of digestion and absorption of nutrients occur here and enter the blood stream

Question 8

Large Intestines

Answer 8

• Shorter but wider
• Reabsorbs water back into the body so waste is excreted as a solid
• Contains bacteria that releases important vitamins from our food

Question 9

Pancreas

Answer 9

Produces insulin which helps transport sugar from blood into cells

Question 10

Liver

Answer 10

Produces bile which aid in the digestion of fat molecules

Question 11

Gall Bladder

Answer 11

Stores bile