Chapter 14 - Digestive Systems Flashcards
Why do we need a digestive system?
As undigested food is too large & insoluble, it needs to broken down so that the nutrients in it can be absorbed by our body and used by our body cells.
What nutrients does food contain?
Carbohydrates, proteins, fats.
What is the function of carbohydrates?
It provides an immediate source of energy and helps with the formation of faeces.
What is the function of proteins?
It repairs worn-out cells and makes new cells for body growth.
What is the function of fats?
It keeps the body warm against heat less and stores our energy.
Where does the human digestive system start and end?
It starts from the mouth and ends at the anus.
What happens when food moves down the digestive tract?
It is broken down into small soluble molecules by a combination of physical and chemical processes.
What is the physical process of digestion?
Food is broken down into smaller pieces by physical or mechanical means such as crushing, grinding and mixing.
What is the chemical process of digestion?
Food is broken down into small molecules through enzymes.
What are enzymes
Enzymes are biological molecules produced by the digestion system which speed up the breakdown of large food molecules into smaller molecules.
What are the three types of enzymes?
Carbohydrases, proteases, lipases
What is the function of carbohydrase?
They speed up the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars (also knowns as glucose).
What is the function of protease?
They speed up the breakdown of proteins into amino acids.
What is the function of lipase?
They speed up the breakdown of fats (also known as lipids) into fatty acids or glycerol.
Where does all digestion end?
Small intestine
