Digestive System Flashcards
Functions of the Digestive System
Break down food into nutrients for body to use
Absorb nutrients that are needed for energy, growth, and maintenance
Rid the body of solid waste
Def of Digestion
process of body breaks down food into small nutrient molecules
Def of Ingestion
The taking of substances (food & drink) into your body through the mouth
Def of Absorption
Movement of small food molecules and ions through wall of intestine into blood
Def of Assimilation
The passing of food that has not been digested or absorbed as feces through the anus
Types of Digestion
Mechanical & Chemical Digestion
Mechanical Digestion def
breakdown of pieces of food in mouth where chewing breaks down food into smaller pieces that can be swallowed.
Chemical Digestion def
food must be broken down into small molecules. Chemicals produced by the body break foods into their smaller chemical building blocks
Process of Digestion
Mouth –> Epiglottis –> Esophagus –> Stomach –> Small Intestine –> Large Intestine –> Rectume & Anus
Function of Mouth
The mouth breaks down food into smaller pieces through mechanical digestion.
Enzyme def
Protein that speeds up chemical reactions in body
Epiglottis funciton
Small flap of tissue, automatically closes over the windpipe when you swallow
Esophagus function
Carries chewed food to the stomach. It is lined with mucus, makes food easier to swallow.
Pristalsis def
Waves of muscular contractions that move food through the digestive system
Stomach function
Organ, mostly chemical digestion of food takes place. Nutrients from food are absorbed through small intestines.
Villi def
fingerlike structures, line the small intestine through –> food is absorbed into the bloodstream
Liver def
Organ produces bile. Largest & heaviest organ in the body.
Bile def
a substance that metabolizes proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
Gallbladder function
The organ that stores bile. accessory organ
Pancreas
Triangular organ, lies between the stomach and the first part of small intestine. Produces pancreatic juice & insulin.
Large Intestine Function
Water is absorbed from food and taken into bloodstream. Prepares remaining undigested food for elimination.
Rectum & Anus functions
The rectum is a short tube that stores solid waste
The anus is an opening at the end of the rectum which solid wastes are eliminated.
