Digestive System Flashcards
Body Systems Review
amylase
digestive enzyme in saliva that begins the process of chemical digestion in the mouth by breaking down starches into sugars.
esophagus
muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach and moves food to the stomach by the process of peristalsis.
peristalsis
rhythmic, wavelike muscular contractions that move food throughout the digestive tract.
pepsin
digestive enzyme involved in the stomach’s chemical digestion of proteins.
small intestine
longest part of the digestive tract; involved in mechanical and chemical digestion.
liver
largest internal organ of the body; produces bile to break down fats, filters down wastes
villus
fingerlike structure through
which most nutrients are absorbed from the small intestine.
large intestine
end portion of the digestive tract; involved primarily in water absorption.
digestive structures
mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, large intestine, colon
4 functions of digestive system
- Ingestion – taking food in
- Digestion – breaking food down
- Absorption – taking nutrients in to the
circulatory system (blood stream) - Elimination – getting rid of waste
mechanical digestion
chewing
chemical digestion
enzymes break down
chewed food into the small molecules the body
can use.
what happens in the small intestine
Nutrients are absorbed by villi
which are connected to capillaries. The many folds and projections of the small intestine result in an enormous surface area. This is how nutrients pass to the blood and transport
throughout the body.
what happens in the large intestine
Minerals and vitamins and
water are absorbed, Concentrates waste to be eliminated
accessory organs (not part of food path but are important)
Liver, gallbladder, pancreas
