Digestive System Flashcards
What is the primary function of the digestive system?
To break down food into nutrients that the body can absorb.
True or False: The esophagus is responsible for nutrient absorption.
False
Fill in the blank: The _______ produces bile, which aids in the digestion of fats.
liver
Which organ is primarily responsible for water absorption?
Large intestine
What is the role of the stomach in digestion?
To mix food with gastric juices and break it down into a semi-liquid form.
True or False: The pancreas secretes enzymes that aid in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
True
What is the function of the small intestine?
To complete digestion and absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.
Fill in the blank: The _______ connects the throat (pharynx) to the stomach.
esophagus
Which part of the digestive system is responsible for the initial breakdown of food?
Mouth
Multiple choice: What structure prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing? A) Epiglottis B) Uvula C) Larynx D) Pharynx
A) Epiglottis
What is the primary role of saliva in digestion?
To begin the breakdown of carbohydrates and lubricate food for easier swallowing.
True or False: The rectum is the final section of the small intestine.
False
What is the term for the rhythmic contractions that move food through the digestive tract?
Peristalsis
Fill in the blank: The _______ is responsible for the absorption of most nutrients.
small intestine
Which digestive organ is divided into three parts: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum?
Small intestine
Multiple choice: Which structure absorbs water and electrolytes? A) Stomach B) Small intestine C) Large intestine D) Pancreas
C) Large intestine
What is the main function of the gallbladder?
To store and concentrate bile.
True or False: The small intestine is shorter than the large intestine.
False
Fill in the blank: The _______ secretes hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes.
stomach
Which organ is responsible for detoxifying chemicals and metabolizing drugs?
Liver
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a function of the digestive system? A) Hormone production B) Nutrient absorption C) Waste elimination D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What is the role of intestinal villi?
To increase the surface area for absorption in the small intestine.
Di/tripeptides —-> amino acids using what intestinal juice?
Peptidases
Nucleotides ——> sugar, phosphate, N-rings using what intestinal juice?
Nucleosidase
Maltose—-> glucose + glucose using what intestinal juice?
Maltase
Sucrose —-> glucose + fructose using what intestinal juice?
Sucrase
Lactose —-> glucose + galactose using what intestinal juice?
Lactase
Pharynx structure (location)
Back of the throat, opens to respiratory and digestive system
Esophagus structure
30cm tube. Connects pharynx to stomach
Lower esophageal sphincter (cardiac sphincter
Stops food from reentering the esophagus
What’s released when proteins enter stomach?
HCl. This creates a pH of 2.5 which kills bacteria.
Duodenum
Chemical digestion from pancreatic & intestinal juices
Pancreas
Endocrine gland: makes insulin & glucagon
Exocrine gland: makes enzymes to digest carbs, fats, proteins, nucleic acids
What happens to blood in the liver?
- Detoxifies harmful substances
- Regulates blood glucose level
- Deamination of amino acids
- Destroys old red blood cells and recycles hemoglobin
- Produces bile
- Produces blood plasma proteins
Where the digestion of starch start?
In the mouth by salivary amylase
Where does the digestion of proteins start?
In the stomach
Where does the digestion of fats occur?
Mainly in the small intestine
