Digestion Flashcards
What is digestion
It is the body’s way of breaking down food into nutrients in preparation for absorption
What is that gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Flexible muscular tube that extends from mouth through oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus
What does the sphincter contractions do
Periodically open and close which allows the contents from the GI tract to move along at a controlled pace
How do salivary glands help with the process of digestion
The salivary glands squirt just enough saliva to moisten each mouthful of food so that it can pass easily down the oesophagus
How does gastric acid help digestion
Gastric glands secrete gastric juice which is a mixture of water, enzymes and hydrochloride acid, which acts primarily in protein digestion
What is simple diffusion
Some nutrients (such as water and small lipids) are absorbed by simple diffusion. They cross into intestinal cells freely
What is facilitated diffusion
Some nutrients such as water-soluble vitamins are absorbed by facilitated diffusion. Specific carrier is required to transport them from one side of the cell membrane to the other
What is active transport
Some nutrients such as glucose and amino acids must be absorbed actively. These nutrients move against a concentration gradient, which requires energy
What’s does the lymphatic system do
Provides a one way route for fluid from the tissue spaces to enter the blood
True or false Like the vascular systems the lymphatic system has a pump
False
True or false lymphatic system circulated between the cells of the body and collects into tiny vessels
True
What are some common digestive problems
Choking Vomiting Diarrhoea Irritable bowel syndrome Constipation
