Digestive System Flashcards
The three functions of the digestive tract:
Physical and chemical breakdown of foods (ingesta)
Absorption of nutrients, electrolytes and water
Expulsion of waste materials
Define mechanical and chemical digestion. How do these assist in the digestive process?
Mechanical breakdown allows food to pass through the GIT and increases surface area available to digestive enzymes
Chemical breakdown – splitting apart chemical bonds between food particles
Explain how by looking at the anatomy of dentition and digestive tract you can determine the diet type of an animal.
Omnivores: Both sharp teeth and flat molars for grinding.
Herbivores: Sharp incisors in the front/ dentition pad in cows, used to tearing plant material. Flat molars used to grind plant material up.
Carnivores: Sharp teeth, incisor, wolf teeth in dogs, and canines used for tearing flesh/meat.
Where does digestion occur in the Ruminent?
The rumen.
Where does digestion occur in the hungut fermenter?
In the caecum.
Where does digestion occur in the monogastric?
The stomach.
What is considered the true stomach of the ruminent?
Abomasum.
The three parts of the small intestine?
duodenum, jejunum, ileum.
Which part of the small intestine is the pancreas connected to?
the duodenum.
What is the mesentery?
It is the serous tissue that connects the intestines to the dorsal body wall.
x5 functions of the mesentery?
- Connects intestines to dorsal body wall
- Fat storage.
- Passageways for lymphatics, nerves, blood vessels for the small intestines.
- Lubrication
- Wards off infection.
What is the function of the caecum?
Storage vat and microbial fermentation of cellulose, particularly important in hindgut fermenters (rabbits, horses).
What is the function of the colon
Water and electrolyte absorption.
What is the function of the rectum?
Storage of feces ready for expulsion.
What is the function of the liver (3)?
To produce bile, store fat, detoxify medication and break down hormones.
