Chapter 4 - Digestion & Enzymes Flashcards
What is the function of the digestive system?
The function of the digestive system is to break food into smaller molecules so it can pass into our blood
What are the five stages in feeding?
- Food is taken into the mouth
- Food is digested and passed into the bloodstream
- Food is carried to cells all over the body
- Food is used by body
- Waste food is released from body
What is the function of the mouth?
Take in and digest food.
What is the function of teeth?
Physically break down food
What is an enzyme?
A protein that speeds up a reaction without being used up in the reaction
What enzyme is found in the mouth?
Amylase
The enzyme _______ breaks down ______ into a ______ _____ called _______
The enzyme amylase breaks down starch into a simple sugar called maltose
What are the four types of teeth?
- Incisors
- Canines
- Premolars
- Molars
What is the function of the incisors?
They cut and slice food
What is the function of the canines?
They grip and tear food
What is the function of the premolars?
They crush, chew and grind food
What is the function of the molars?
They crush, chew and grind food
What is the function of the oesophagus?
It is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach
What is peristalsis?
It is the wave of muscular contractions used by the oesophagus to move food from the mouth to the stomach
What is the stomach?
A muscular bag that stores food and mixes it with digestive juices
What is the small intestine and what is its function?
It is a tube where digested food is absorbed into the blood. It also produces many more enzymes that complete the breakdown of food
What is the function of the liver?
Produces bile, a liquid which helps to digest fat in the small intestine
What is the function of the pancreas?
Produces enzymes which help to digest food in the small intestine
What is the function of the large intestine?
Passes water back into the bloodstream leaving solid waste
What is the function of the rectum?
Stores faeces
What is the function of the anus?
It is where faeces exit the body-> egestion
What is egestion?
When faeces exit the body
What are enzymes used for?
- Breakdown of food in the digestive system
- Speeding up reactions such as:
- growth of muscles
- growth of hair
- formation of blood cells
- breakdown of poisonous substances in the liver
Product
The substance produced as a result of the action of an enzyme
Substrate
The substance that the enzyme acts on
Digestion
The breakdown of food
Why is digestion necessary?
- Make food soluble
- Food can enter bloodstream
- To obtain nutrients
