Digestive system

Question 1

Purpose of digestive system

Answer 1

Takes food and fluids
into the body
 Breaks down
nutrients physically
and chemically to be
absorbed by body
cells
 Eliminates unused
foods and substances

Question 2

Structure of digestive system

Answer 2

Consists of the
gastrointestinal tract
and accessory organs
of digestion
 9 metres (30 ft) of
tract from mouth to
anus
4

Question 3

Stomach

Answer 3

Upper left part of
abdomen
 Produces gastric juices
& hydrochloric acid to
break down food
 Lined with mucous
membranes
 Churns & mixes food
 Food remains 2 to 4
hours
6

Question 4

Small bowel

Answer 4

6 meters (20 feet) long
 Moves food by
peristalsis
 Adds liquids & digestive
juices from gallbladder
& pancreas
 Breaks down food
 Food is completely
broken down &
absorbed into capillaries
in the walls of the small
intestine  cells
7

Question 5

LArge bowel

Answer 5

 Large intestine or colon
 1.5 meters (5 ft) long
 Absorbs water, salts &
minerals
 Stores solid wastes until
evacuated from body
 Last 5-7 inches of large
bowel called rectum
 Anus = muscle sphincter
voluntary control
Total time food in tract
is 15-24 hours

Question 6

3 accesory organs

Answer 6

LIVER
Gallblader
pancreas

Question 7

liver

Answer 7

 Stores sugar,
vitamins, iron
 Produces antibodies
 Detoxifies
substances (drugs,
poisons, alcohol)
 Destroys old blood
cells, bacteria and
foreign matter
 Manufactures bile
which aids in fat
digestion
9

Question 8

GALLBLADDER

Answer 8

under
liver
 Sac where bile is
stored

Question 9

PANCREAS

Answer 9

behind
stomach
 Produces digestive
enzymes for
 Digestion in small
intestine and Insulin
to control blood sugar

Question 10

changes with age

Answer 10

Shrinkage of gums
 Decline in # of taste
buds
 Decreased saliva
 Changes in stomach
 Decreased digestive
juices
 Decreased peristalsis
 Decreased muscle
mass & strength in
mouth, lips, cheeks
11

Question 11

peristalsis

Answer 11

Peristalsis moves feces into the rectum

Question 12

immobility effects

Answer 12

Reduced peristalsis
 Reduced secretions of
digestive juices
 Loss of appetite
 Increased indigestion
 Increased gas
formation
 Increased constipation
14

Question 13

immobility counter act

Answer 13

Active in bed
 Sit up to eat
 Small frequent meals
 High fibre
 1500ml+ fluids
 Attractive, tempting smells
 Natural position for BM
 Respond to need for BM
 Privacy
15

Question 14

Characteristics of poop

Answer 14

appearance
Fat & mucous
content
Odour
Consistency
Foreign matter

Question 15

normal eliminations are

Answer 15

brown colour
Small
Fecal
Soft formed
none

Question 16

Abnormal feces

Answer 16

Pale, clay col.,
black, tarry
Large
Foul, blood etc
Hard, dry,
loose, watery
Worms,
parasites