Digestive system Flashcards
nutrients
substances the body needs for
growth, maintenance, and
repair; carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, vitamins,
minerals, and water
digestion
the process of breaking food
alimentary canal
a long tube, open at both
ends, through which food
passes as it is digested
GI tract
another term for the
alimentary canal
Accessory organs
organs that assist in the process of digestion, but food does not pass through them
ingestion
the voluntary process of
taking food or drink into the
body through the mouth
propulsion
the forceful movement of food
from one organ to the next
peristalsis
alternating waves of contraction and relaxation that push food along the GI
tract
mechanical
digestion
the physical breakdown of
food into smaller particles
segmentation
moves food back and forth to
mix it in the small and large
intestines
chemical
digestion
food molecules are broken
down into their building
blocks by their enzymes
enzymes
proteins that speed up
chemical reactions in the body
absorption
the process of food nutrients
moving from the small
intestine into the bloodstream
defecation
elimination of solid waste from the body
feces
solid waste; a combination of undigested and/or
unabsorbed food, water,
bacteria, etc.
mechanoreceptors
control digestive activity by
detecting stretching of organ
walls
chemoreceptors
control digestive activity by
detect factors such as solute
concentration, pH, and the
presence of substrates and
end products
oral cavity
the mouth; site of mechanical
teeth
responsible for mechanical
digestion in the mouth; tear
food apart during chewing
Mastication
another term for chewing
tongue
moves food around the mouth
to mix it with saliva and push
it between the teeth
salivary amylase
the enzyme in saliva which
begins the chemical digestion
of carbohydrates
salivary glands
Three pairs of glands produce saliva; parietal, submandibular, and
sublingual
saliva
mixture of water, salivary amylase, mucus, and
antibacterial substances;
produced by salivary glands
deglutition
swallowing; a coordinated activity that pushes the food
bolus to the back of the
mouth
Bolus
ball of partially digested food
that is swallowed
pharynx
the area behind the nose and mouth that is a common
passageway for food, air and liquids.
esophagus
tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach which
conducts the food bolus by
peristalsis
stomach
J-shaped muscular organ that
secretes enzymes that digest
protein; three layers of muscle
contribute to mechanical
digestion
cardioesophageal
sphincter
or cardiac sphincter; a ring of
muscle that controls the
entrance of food from the
esophagus into the stomach
pyloric sphincter
ring of muscle that controls the entrance of food from the
stomach into the duodenum
gastric pits
small pores in the stomach
lining that secrete gastric juice
intrinsic factor
substance that allows vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the
small intestine; secreted by
parietal cells