Digestive System Flashcards
What is an organ system?
A collection of organs, tissues and processes which carry out a specific function
What is the structure of the digestive system?
Mouth, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, small intestine and large intestine
What is the function of the digestive system?
To breakdown the food we eat into smaller parts so the body can use them to build and nourish cells and provide energy
Give 5 functions of the digestive system
1) Ingestion – Intake of food through the mouth
2) Digestion – Breaking down of food either chemically or mechanically
3) Absorption – Food absorbs in the small intestine through the villi and microvilli
4) Eliminate Waste – Evacuation of waste through the anus
5) Utilisation and Production of Energy – Nutrients distributed into every cell through the capillaries for energy production
Give 2 structures of the mouth
1) Teeth
2) Tongue
Give 2 functions of the mouth
1) Teeth – Cut and grind food
2) Tongue – Moves food around when chewing or swallowing
Give 1 structure of the oesophagus
Tubular structure consisting of smooth muscle layers
Give 1 function of the oesophagus
Uses peristaltic movements to transport food to the stomach
Give 1 structure of the stomach
Consists of smooth muscle layers
Give 1 function of the stomach
Uses peristaltic movements to secrete acid and enzymes that digest food
Give 1 structure of the pancreas
Located in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach
Give 1 function of the pancreas
Releases alkali pancreatic juices to neutralise stomach acid and allow pancreatic enzymes to work
Give 3 structures of the small intestine
1) Duodenum – First and shortest segment of the small intestine
2) Jejunum – Middle segment of the small intestine
3) Ileum – Last segment of the small intestine
Give 3 functions of the small intestine
1) Duodenum – Finishes the digestion process
2) Jejunum – Absorbs most nutrients present in food before being passed to the ileum
3) Ileum – Executes the function of absorption of remaining nutrients e.g. glycerol
Give 3 structures of the large intestine
1) Colon shape
2) Smaller than the small intestine
3) Final part of the gastrointestinal tract
Give 3 functions of the large intestine
1) Maintains a bacterial population
2) Recovers water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter
3) Builds and stores faeces from indigestible components of food e.g. cellulose
Give 4 ways the body gets energy from food
1) Food is ingested
2) Digestive enzymes throughout the digestive system break down food into smaller particles
3) Food particles are absorbed through the wall of the small intestine
4) Fat, protein and carbohydrate particles from food travel in the blood to the cells where energy is created
Explain how the digestive system works
Begins at the mouth where food is ingested and broken down into smaller parts. The food then travels down the oesophagus to the stomach through peristalsis. The stomach uses peristalsis to secrete acid and digestive enzymes such as pepsin, lipase and amylase to break down the food further. The stomach then empties its contents (chyme) into the small intestine, where the digestion process is finished and water and digested nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. The waste from the small intestine then moves into the large intestine, where water is absorbed and waste is changed from liquid to faeces. The rectum stores these faeces until they are released from the anus.
