Digestion Flashcards
Digestion is a process by which our bodies
Absorb nutrients we need to stay alive from foods we consume
Nutrients are passed into the _ to wherever in the body they are needed
Bloodstream
Digestive system in adults is about _ ft
30
Digestive enzymes in _ begin process of chemically breaking down food
Saliva
Ball of masticated food called
Bolus
After chewing _ enters esophagus
Bolus
The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that _
Covers the larynx as swallowed food passes to enter the esophagus
Location of epiglottis
Back of throat behind tongue
Esophagus is a large muscular tube that extends from epiglottis to
Stomach
Esophagus muscles move _ down pipe to stomach
Bolus
Muscular ring acting as stomach gateway called the
Lower esophageal sphincter
If lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly _ results
Acid reflux
Stomach releases _ that break down food that enters
Digestive enzymes
Digestive acids
In stomach _ contract and churn food
Gut muscles
The churning of food helps _ (2)
Chemicals break up
Acid kill off unwanted microbes in food
The churning process also allows _ to be released
The satiety hormone, leptin
The _ hormone is released by stomach when it is empty
Hunger hormone, ghrelin
The stomach turns food into soap like consistency _
Chyme
Chyme is created for
Small intestines to be able to process
Majority of nutrients absorption takes place in
Small intestine
Small intestine is a _ foot long section of digestive tract
23
Small intestine covered with multiple _ that absorb nutrients from chyme (2)
Tiny villi
Microvilli
Absorption of chyme through tiny and microvilli process called
Diffusion
After nutrients from chyme absorbed in tiny villi and microvilli through diffusion
They are passed into the bloodstream
Food spends _ hours in small intestines (range)
2-6
While in small intestines, food is _
Broken down by digestive enzymes so diffusion can take place
Some digestive enzymes are supplied by
Pancreas
Pancreas releases hormones to help _ as they rise in response to eating a meal
Regulate blood sugar levels
The _ also releases bile into the small intestine to further ain in digestion
Gallbladder
