Digestion Flashcards
what does villi do?
maximise absorption of molecules
what does microvilli do?
increase surface area
what does the thin walls in villi do?
reduces diffusion distance
what does capillaries do?
offer good blood supply
what does lacteal do?
absorbs products of lipid digestion
what is the function of the mouth?
- food broken down mechanically (chewing)
- starch broken down
what is the function of the stomach?
- bacteria killed by acid
- protease breaks down protein then passed into small intestine.
what is the function of the small intestine?
molecules are absorbed into the blood using villi
what is the function of the pancreas?
amylase, lipase, proteases are all produced
what is the function of the liver?
bile is produced that emulsifies lipids = broken down quicker to increased surface area
what is the function of the large intestine?
water is reabsorbed
what is the function of the rectum?
faeces (undigested material) stored here
what is the function of the anus?
expels faeces during egestion
what is peristalsis?
wavelike muscular contractions which move the food along the tract
what is the movement called in the GI tract?
peristalisis
what protects the wall of the GI tract against enzymes?
mucus which lubricates the passage of food
what is pepsin?
a protease that breaks down protein into amino acids
amylase breaks … into …
starch into maltose
maltase breaks … into …
maltose into glucose
proteases breaks … into …
proteins into amino acids
lipase breaks … into …
lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
what does a lack of fibre cause?
if too much water is absorbed, faeces will be dry and hard
what can lead to diarrhoea?
if not enough water is absorbed through (e.g.,) food poisoning
what is the function of the salivary gland?
amylase is produced here
