Digestive System

Question 1

Function of Digestive System

Answer 1

To break down large organic compounds into smaller compounds that can be used by the body

Question 2

Function of mouth

Answer 2

Digestion begins
in the mouth

Physical digestion:
Food is broken down by teeth (chewing)
Tongue moves food around to speed physical and chemical digestion, while forming a bolus (small ball of food) that can be swallowed.
Chemical digestion: Presence of food releases saliva. Salivary glands secrete saliva. Saliva is made up of water, mucous, enzymes for chemical digestion

Question 3

Function of Esophagus

Answer 3

bolus of food moves from the mouth into
the esophagus.
-connecting the pharynx with the stomach
-Moves food to stomach because of peristalsis, no chemical digestion

Question 4

Define physical and chemical digestion

Answer 4

The mechanical breakdown of food into small particles (i.e. teeth). The use of enzymes to breakdown food
Breaking down macromolecule structure

Question 5

Define Peristalsis

Answer 5

Peristalsis is an involuntary, wave like contraction of smooth muscle along the alimentary canal

Question 6

Function of Stomach

Answer 6

J- shaped muscular organ - physical and chemical digestion 
Creates chyme (semi liquid mixture of food and gastric juices- HCl - pH 2). 3 layers of smooth tissue. Enzymes (pepsin) are released and peristalsis continues to churn the food.

Question 7

Small Intestine

Answer 7

1. Duodenum: majority of digestion occurs
2. Jejunum: digestion and absorption
3. Illeum: some digestion and mostly absorption

Physical: Peristalsis
Chemical: Digests proteins and macromolecules (carbs etc) through enzymes produced by accessory organs
Villi

Question 8

Absorption in small intestine

Answer 8

Finger-like projections called villi make up the lining of the small intestine. Each villus has multiple
microvilli which increase
the absorption

Question 9

yy

Answer 9

yy

Question 10

Large Intestine

Answer 10

• absorbs water and stores waste

- Consists of the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and rectum.

Question 11

Four stages of the digestive system

Answer 11

Ingestion, digestion, absorption, egestion