Digestive System

Question 1

Functions of the digestive system

Answer 1

Effectively shuts down during exercise.
Food we eat(ingestion) is broken down into smaller pieces(digestion).
Smaller pieces pass through intestine wall and dissolve into blood(absorption).
Nutrients become fuel and waste is removed(excretion).

Question 2

What is mechanical and chemical digestion?

Answer 2

Mechanical - by teeth, tongue and muscles in alimentary canal.
Chemical - by enzymes produced by salivary glands, liver and pancreas.

Question 3

How the digestive system works? (Mouth)

Answer 3

Food enters through mouth, broken down into smaller pieces by teeth. Saliva moistens food to make digestion possible.

Question 4

How the digestive system works? (Stomach)

Answer 4

Stores food until body can digest. In the stomach food broken down further, bacteria killed by acid and food made smaller again so easier to absorb.

Question 5

How the digestive system works? (Small intestine)

Answer 5

Food further broken down and molecules transferred to blood. Pancreatic juice breaks down carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Question 6

How the digestive system works? (Large intestine)

Answer 6

Absorbs water and sodium. Waste excreted from body through anus.

Question 7

Short term effects of exercise on the digestive system

Answer 7

1. Blood diverts to the heart, lungs and working muscles away from parts of the digestive system.
2. Improves digestion process by strengthening muscles, which makes it easier to pass food around body.
3. Can slow down digestive system to conserve energy for exercise

Question 8

Pre exercise eating plan

Answer 8

Eat two hours before the activity.
Meal should consist of mainly carbohydrates which are digested quicker than fats and proteins.