Digestive System Flashcards
Alimentary canal
Long, twisting, pipe like structure, about 9 meters long, from mouth to anus
Ingestion
Take food into body
Absorption
Food molecules are passed into bloodstream, carried to all cells in body
Egestion
Undigested or unwanted particles passed out as faeces
Mouth and oesophagus
Chew food, mixed with saliva, travels down oesophagus when you swallow
Stomach
Chewed food is further digested. Has substances called enzymes to help digest food. Also contracts to break food down further into a liquid.
Small intestine
Most digestion takes place here, absorption also takes place
Large intestine
“Leftovers” are absorbed because most nutrients have been absorbed. Eg. Water, salt, indigestible fibre
Purpose
Break down food into smaller particles, absorbed into bloodstream, provides energy for all cells
Ulcers
Open sores on the lining of the mouth, oesophagus or upper portions of small intestine. Caused by bacterial infections.
Anorexia Nervosa
Abnormal fear of gaining weight, starve themselves. Heart problems, kidney damage, bone thinning and even death
Diarrhoea
Pass very frequent, loose, watery stools. The undigested food passes through large intestine tok quickly for all liquid to be absorbed.
Liver cirrhosis
Replaces healthy liver tissue with scar tissue, prevents liver from functioning properly. Causes are alcohol abuse and fatty liver caused by diabetes and obesity
