Digestive System Flashcards
Digestive system
a complex series of organs and glands that processes food in order to supply your body with the nutrients it needs to function effectively
Excretory system
the body system that removes waste substances from the body
Digestion
breakdown of food into a form that can be used by an animal. It includes both mechanical digestion and chemical digestion.
Enzymes
special chemicals that speed up reactions but are themselves not used up in the reaction
Saliva
watery substance in the mouth that moistens food before swallowing
Salivary glands
glands in the mouth that produce saliva
Chemical digestion
the chemical reactions changing food into simpler substances that are absorbed into the bloodstream for use in other parts of the body
Mechanical digestion
digestion that uses physical factors such as chewing with the teeth
Bolus
round, chewed-up ball of food made in the mouth that makes swallowing easier
Oesophagus
part of the digestive system composed of a tube connecting the mouth and pharynx with the stomach
Peristalsis
the process of pushing food along the oesophagus or small intestine by the action of muscles
Small intestine
the part of the digestive system between the stomach and large intestine, where much of the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients takes place
Absorption
the taking in of a substance, for example, from the intestine to the surrounding capillaries
Villi
tiny finger-like projections from the wall of the intestine that maximise the surface area of the structure to increase the efficiency of nutrient absorption. Singular = villus.
Colon
the part of the large intestine where a food mass passes from the small intestine, and where water and other remaining essential nutrients are absorbed into your body
Large intestine
the penultimate part of the digestive system, where water is absorbed from the waste before it is transported out of the body
Vitamin D
a nutrient that regulates the concentration of calcium and phosphate in the bloodstream and promotes the healthy growth and remodelling of bone, along with other functions
Cellulose
a natural substance that keeps the cell walls of plants rigid
Rectum
the final section of the digestive system, where waste food matter is stored as faeces before being excreted through the anus
Anus
the final part of the digestive system, through which faeces are passed as waste
Bile
a substance produced by the liver that helps digest fats and oils
Gall bladder
a small organ that stores and concentrates bile within the body
Lipases
enzymes that break fats and oils down into fatty acids and glycerol
Amylases
an enzyme in saliva that breaks starch down into sugar
Proteases
enzymes that break proteins down into amino acids
Pancreas
a large gland in the body that produces and secretes the hormone insulin and an important digestive fluid containing enzymes
Excretion
removal of wastes from the body
Skin
external covering of an animal body
Lungs
the organ for breathing air. Gas exchange occurs in the lungs
Liver
largest gland in the body. The liver secretes bile for digestion of fats, builds proteins from amino acids, breaks down many substances harmful to the body and has many other essential functions.
Kidneys
body organs that filter the blood, removing urea and other wastes
Nephrons
the filtration and excretory units of the kidney
Bladder
sac that stores urine
Ureters
tubes from each kidney that carry urine to the bladder
Urine
ellowish liquid, produced in the kidneys. It is mostly water and contains waste products from the blood such as urea, ammonia and uric acid
Receptors
special cells that detect energy and convert it to electrical energy that is sent to the brain
Glucose
a simple carbohydrate and the simplest form of sugar
Cellular respiration
the chemical reaction involving oxygen that moves the energy in glucose into the compound ATP. The body is able to use the energy contained in ATP.
ATP
adenosine triphosphate: a form of energy released during cellular respiration that provides cells with the energy needed to perform their functions
Respiratory system
the body system involving the lungs and associated structures, which take in air and supply the blood with oxygen to deliver to the body’s cells so they can carry out their essential functions; it also performs gas exchange to remove the waste gas carbon dioxide
Circulatory system
the body system that circulates oxygen in blood to all the cells of the body. The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood vessels and blood
Nephrons
the filtration and excretory units of the kidney
Bladder
sac that stores urine
Ureters
tubes from each kidney that carry urine to the bladder
Urine
yellowish liquid, produced in the kidneys. It is mostly water and contains waste products from the blood such as urea, ammonia and uric acid.
