Digestive system Flashcards
What is glucagon?
a hormone that increases blood glucose levels
What is glucose?
needed by cells for respiration
what is glycogen?
stored glucose inside of tissues
what is hyperglycaemia?
the state of having to much glucose on the blood
what is hypoglycaemia?
the state of having too little glucose in the blood
What is the function of the liver?
stores vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and produces bile
what is the function of the Pancreas?
detects blood glucose concentration, and secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon to alter the amount of glucose in the blood
what is glucose used for within the body
respiration and provides energy to cells and organs
What is mechanical digestion?
digestion that occurs in the oral cavity and stomach, large pieces of food are ingested and physically broken down into smaller pieces
What is chemical digestion?
Chemical – digestion that occurs in the oral cavity and stomach, food is broken down using enzymes like amylase, acid and bile into nutrients for absorption
what is the function of the oral cavity?
provides mechanical digestion
what is the function of the esophagus?
moves food via peristalsis
what is the function of the stomach?
provides chemical digestion
what is the function of the duodenum?
emulsifies fat and neutralises stomach acid, bile is added to it from the liver
what is the function of the Large intestine?
absorbs water and water soluble nutrients through villi
what is the function of the rectum?
allows waste matter to be stored prior to excretion
What is the function of the anus?
is the exterior opening of the body for the excretion of faeces
what is the function of villi?
provide a larger surface area for the absorption of nutrients. contains a network of capillaries for effective diffusion of molecules
What is a hind-gut fermenter?
has one simple stomach, and a larger specialised organ called the caecum
What is the function of the caecum?
found in hind-gut fermenters, microbes ferment food and breakdown cellulose
