Digestive system Flashcards
mechanical digestion
digestion that uses physical factors such as chewing with the teeth
chemical digestion
the chemical reactions changing food into simpler substances that are absorbed into the bloodstream for use in other parts of the body
alimentary canal
passage from the mouth to the anus.
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
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 with the stomach
peristalsis
the process of pushing food along the oesophagus or small intestine by the action of muscles
stomach
a large muscular organ that churns and mixes food with gastric juice to start to break down protein
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 that maximizes the surface area
nutrient
substances that provide energy for the body, to be able to stay alive and grow
bile
substance produced by the liver that helps digest fats and oils
