Digestive System Flashcards
what is a balanced diet?
eating food containing the right nutrients in healthy amounts
what are nutrients?
important substances that your body needs to survive and stay healthy
what types of nutrients are there?
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, water, dietary fibre, minerals
what is the function of water?
important for the production of all body fluids
what is the function of dietary fibre?
important to provide bulk for the muscles of our digestive system to contract and push food along
what is the function of protein?
growth and repair; to make enzymes; to make hormones
what is the function of lipids?
to provide energy; produce hormones; can be stored for later use; can be used for insulation
give one example of a hormone protein can produce
insulin
give one example of a hormone lipids can produce
oestrogen
what is the function of carbohydrates?
to provide energy for active processes in the body
what are the 4 processes in order?
ingestion, digestion, absorption, egestion
how many organs make up the digestive system?
10
why does the digestive system have a good blood supply?
so that products of digestion can be transferred to the organs and tissues
what nutrients is an orange a good source of?
vitamins and water
what nutrients is an orange a bad source of?
fats and proteins
why is it important to chew food?
to increase the surface area of the food; to start digestion; to stop you choking
give the names of 2 nutrients that are absorbed into the blood without being digested.
minerals and vitamins
what nutrient passes through the body without being digested?
dietary fibre
why do enzymes like amylase stop working in the stomach?
because of the acidic conditions, the enzymes are destroyed
where is bile stored?
the gallbladder
where is bile produced?
liver
where is water absorbed?
large intestine
what is the function of the epiglottis?
prevents food going into the trachea and air going into the stomach
what does saliva turn food into?
bolus
what is peristalsis?
a muscular contraction of the walls to push food along
what is an unbalanced diet?
eating too much or too little of the recommended food groups?
what are some consequences of eating too little food?
being underweight
lacking energy
weak immune system
likely to suffer from deficiency diseases
what are some consequences of eating too much food?
being overweight
higher risk of heart disease
higher risk of strokes and diabetes
why does eating slowly help you feel fuller?
your body has time to release and respond to hormones
