Digestive System Flashcards
Digestion
The breaking down of macronutrients into micronutrients
Egestion
Elimination of bulk waste of food
Food
Material that is ingested for its nutrient content
Ingestion
Taking in food from the mouth
Mineral
Naturally occurring inorganic substance containing, two or more elements
Nutrient
A chemical that must be acquired from the environment and is used in metabolism
Vitamin
An organic molecule required as a helper in a metabolic reaction that the body is unable to manufacture
Enzyme
A specialized protein that accelerates a chemical reaction due to its shape
Mouth (function, features, and function of features)
Starts digestion of starch.
The mouth contains teeth and tongue
Chews food and forms bolus
Pharynx (function, features, and function of features)
Passageway
Esophagus (function, features, and function of features)
Passageway
Stomach (function, features, and function of features)
Storage of food; acidity kills bacteria; starts digestion of protein
Gastric glands
The stomach releases gastic juices
Small Intestine (function, features, and function of features)
Digestion of all foods; absorption of nutrients
Intestinal glands, Villi
Release intestinal juices, absorb nutrients
Large Intestine (function, features, and function of features)
Absorption of water; storage of indigestible remains
Soft palate
Soft palate moves back to close off the nasopharynx
