Digestive System

Question 1

What is an organ system?

Answer 1

A collection of organs, tissues and processes which carry out a specific function

Question 2

What is the structure of the digestive system?

Answer 2

Mouth, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, small intestine and large intestine

Question 3

What is the function of the digestive system?

Answer 3

To breakdown the food we eat into smaller parts so the body can use them to build and nourish cells and provide energy

Question 4

Give 5 functions of the digestive system

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Give 2 structures of the mouth

Answer 5

1) Teeth

2) Tongue

Question 6

Give 2 functions of the mouth

Answer 6

1) Teeth – Cut and grind food

2) Tongue – Moves food around when chewing or swallowing

Question 7

Give 1 structure of the oesophagus

Answer 7

Tubular structure consisting of smooth muscle layers

Question 8

Give 1 function of the oesophagus

Answer 8

Uses peristaltic movements to transport food to the stomach

Question 9

Give 1 structure of the stomach

Answer 9

Consists of smooth muscle layers

Question 10

Give 1 function of the stomach

Answer 10

Uses peristaltic movements to secrete acid and enzymes that digest food

Question 11

Give 1 structure of the pancreas

Answer 11

Located in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach

Question 12

Give 1 function of the pancreas

Answer 12

Releases alkali pancreatic juices to neutralise stomach acid and allow pancreatic enzymes to work

Question 13

Give 3 structures of the small intestine

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Give 3 functions of the small intestine

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Give 3 structures of the large intestine

Answer 15

1) Colon shape
2) Smaller than the small intestine
3) Final part of the gastrointestinal tract

Question 16

Give 3 functions of the large intestine

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Give 4 ways the body gets energy from food

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Explain how the digestive system works

Answer 18

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.