Digestive system Flashcards
Explain a feature of the dental structure for a herbivore
- Flat teeth - designed to grind
- Plant matter is tough - teeth continually grow
Explain a feature of the dental structure of a carnivore
- Sharp incisors - cut meat from bones
- Large canine teeth - rip prey
Explain one function of the pancreas
- Secretes insulin - control blood sugar levels
- Secretes pancreatic juices - digestive enzymes that pass into the small intestine
Explain two reasons why carbs are important in the diet of an animal
- Main source of energy - brain/movement of muscles
- Excess stored as fat - keeping warm / storing energy
Explain two functions of the liver
- Production of bile - emulsify fats
- Remove toxins from the blood - improve/protect kidney function
State one cause and one symptom of ruminant bloat
- Causes: blockage, foreign object, incorrect diet
- Symptom: pain, stomach is swollen
Explain the role of water in a cat’s diet
- Prevents dehydration - cells/organs can function effectively
- Aids faecal elimination - lubricates the intestines
Explain two ways a cows mouth is adapted to eat grass
- Long/rough tongue - grasps grass
- Sharp incisors - pull/bite grass
State which teeth are adapted to rip meat in carnivores
Canines
Explain one way birds break down their food without having teeth
- Beak - tears food - reduce the size
State the name of the nutrient that provides amino acids in the diet
Protein
Explain two ways birds’ beaks are adapted to feed
- Longer - find bugs in trees
- Hooked tip - tear meat
State the name of the enzyme found in saliva
Amylase
Give three examples of mechanical digestion
- Chewing
- Stomach
- Gizzard
Give the name of one digestive enzyme secreted from the pancreas
- Proteases
- Amylase
- Lipase
Compare the roles of the hormones insulin and glucagon
- Both released from pancreas
- Insulin converts glucose to glycogen
- Glucagon converts glycogen to glucose
What are the 7 nutrients?
• Water
• Protein
• Fibre
• Carbohydrates
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Lipids
State the name of the muscular contractions that push good and waste products through the digestive syste
Peristalsis
What does a crop do in a birds digestive system?
Store food
What does a gizzard do in a birds digestive system?
Grinds food
What does a proventriculus do in a birds digestive system?
Chemical digestion
What does a cloaca do in a birds digestive system?
Elimination of uric acid
What are the four chambers of a cow’s stomach?
• Rumen
• Reticulum
• Omasum
• Abomasum
Describe avian digestion
Swallows without chewing > proventriculus > ventriculus > cloaca
Give 3 digestive disorders
• Gastritis
• Bloat
• Colitis
