Digestive System Flashcards
What is the digestive system?
A group of organs that work together to break down food
What happens to large molecules such as lipids and protiens, during digestion?
These large molecules are broken down into smaller molecules of nutrients. These nutrients can pass into the blood stream.
What are the structures of the digestive system?
Mouth, gullet (esophagus), stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus.
What happens in the mouth?
Food is chewed and mixed with saliva.
What happens in the gullet/esophagus?
Food passes down this tube.
What happens in the stomach?
Food is mixed with digestive juices and acids.
What happens in the small intestine?
Digestive juices from the liver and pancreas are added and digestion is completed.
What happens in the large intestine?
Only food that cannot be digested makes it this far, water passes back into the body.
What happens in the rectum?
Feces are stored here until they leave the body.
What happens in the anus?
This is a muscular ring through which feces can leave the body.
How long would your small intestine be if you unravelled it?
4 times your height!
What does fibre do to the foods?
It isn’t digested but it adds bulk to your food.
What does lots of fibre prevent?
Constipation
How does food move along the gut?
Muscels in the wall of the gut squeeze the food along.
How is the small intestine specially adapted to absorb the nutrients?
The wall of the small intestine is thin and covered in villi to make a larger surface area
