Digestive System Flashcards
Which enzyme can be found in your saliva?
Amylase. Protein in pancreas which breaks down food into sugar.
What is the first stage of the digestion process?
Saliva contains enzymes which break down food ready for the nutrients to be absorbed by the body.
What happens in the second stage of digestion?
Enters the oesophagus. Muscular contractions occur which deliver food to stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter which is at the bottom has to relax to let the food in.
What is the lower esophageal sphincter?
Located at bottom of oesophagus which contracts allowing food to go to stomach. Helps prevent food going back up which may cause acid reflux.
What happens during the stomach stage of the process?
Holds food whilst cells in lining of stomach secrete strong acid and enzymes which break down food contents small enough to progress to small intestine.
What happens after food passes through the stomach?
Enters the duodenum which connects stomach and small intestine. Begins absorption of nutrients. Bile enters here through bile ducts which comes from gallbladder
What happens when the food passes from the duodenum?
Goes to small intestine where it goes from semi-liquid to full liquid. Nutrients are absorbed which then go into the bloodstream.
Role of pancreas in digestive process
Secretes enzymes into duodenum which breaks down protein, fats & carbs. Attached to gallbladder and small intestine.
Role of liver in digestive process
Process nutrients absorbed from small intestine and makes chemicals body needs to function. Also breaks down toxic drugs
Role of gallbladder in digestive process
Stores and concentrates bile from the liver & releases it into the duodenum in the small intestine to help absorb and digest fats.
What is the purpose of bile?
- Help break down fat
- Carry waste from liver that cannot go through kidneys
What happens during the large intestine point?
Most of remaining liquid absorbed, along with electrolytes and certain vitamins. Also contains bacteria which break down certain carbs.
What happens during the rectum stage?
End of large intestine where stool is stored ready for a bowl movement.
What is the role of amino acids in the body?
A large proportion of our cells, muscles and tissue is made up of amino acids, meaning they carry out many important bodily functions, such as giving cells their structure. They also play a key role in the transport and the storage of nutrients.
What are the two purposes for digestion system?
- Get rid of waste
- Absorb nutrients
What is the role of the liver?
Produces bile and excretes it, and metabolises fat, protein & carbs
What is gastric juice made from?
Water
Hydrochloric acid
Mucus
What 2 enzymes are found in the stomach?
Pepsin
Rennin
How long does the food stay in the stomach roughly?
5 Hours
What are the three different chemicals that breakdown food in the process?
- Bile
- Pancreatic juice
- Intestinal juice
Intestinal Juice
Released by gland of small intestine. . It neutralises hydrochloric acid coming from the stomach and contains digestive enzymes that facilitate the digestion and absorption of food. It also stimulates the release of
gastrointestinal hormones into the bloodstream.
The four sections of the colon
- Ascending colon
- Tranverse colon
- Descending colon
- Sigmoid colon
What is peristalsis?
A series of wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract
What are carbs broken down into?
Sugar
What are proteins broken down into?
Amino acids
What are fats broken down into?
Fatty acids/glycerol
