Digestive system Flashcards
What is the main purpose of digestion?
To break down food into tiny pieces for absorption into the body cells.
What are the three main nutrients humans need?
Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
What happens when food enters the mouth?
It is chewed and mixed with saliva containing salivary amylase.
What is the role of salivary amylase?
It helps break down carbohydrates.
What is the gullet also known as?
The oesophagus.
What are the three important functions of the stomach?
1) Mixes food with muscular contractions
2) Produces pepsin to break down proteins
3) Produces hydrochloric acid to kill bacteria and aid pepsin
What happens to food after it leaves the stomach?
It moves into the small intestine for further digestion and absorption.
Where are most digestive enzymes produced?
In the pancreas.
What does bile do in the digestive process?
Neutralizes stomach acid and emulsifies fats.
Where is bile made and stored?
Made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
How does the small intestine aid in absorption?
It has villi that increase surface area and a good blood supply to maintain concentration gradients.
What happens in the large intestine?
It absorbs excess water from the leftover material, forming feces.
What is the final storage area for feces before removal?
The rectum.
Recap the digestive process from start to finish.
1) Food is chewed in the mouth
2) Swallowed down the esophagus
3) Digested in the stomach
4) Mixed with pancreatic juices and bile in the small intestine
5) Absorbed into the bloodstream
6) Waste moves to the large intestine
7) Excess water is absorbed, and feces are stored in the rectum
