Digestive System Flashcards
What is the role of the digestive system?
Processes and converts food into there simplest forms through mechanical and chemical digestion and absorbs these nutrients into the blood stream while also getting rid of waste products.
what does the mouth do in the digestive system?
Breaks down food (mechanical digestion)and mixes it with saliva
what is the role of the oesophagus?
A tract connecting the mouth to the stomach which moves food by the process of peristalsis.
What is peristalsis ?
Squeezing food down the oesophagus by repeated waves of muscle contraction.
what is the role of the stomach?
A large muscular organ that churns food by contracting. The stomach lining releases acids and enzymes that chemically digest food , break down protein and kill unwanted bacteria.
What is the role of the Liver?
Controls the number of glucose molecules in the blood.When there is too much , the liver stores it as glycogen and releases it when needed. It also makes bile , which breaks down fat into the small droplets in the small intestine.
What is the role of the gall bladder?
Store bile made in the liver until needed in the small intestine.
What is the role of the pancreas ?
Makes chemicals that are used in the small intestine. It also reduces the effect of the acid from the stomach on the walls o father small intestine. Also regulates blood sugar levels
What is the role of the small intestine?
A hollow long tube which is the main organ for digestion.It is where the breakdown of starch and protein is finished and fat breakdown occurs. The food particles are then small enough to pass through the wall of the small intestine into the bloodstream.
What are Villi?
They are small and finger like things which increase the surface are of the small intestine so that the maximum amount of nutrients can difuse across the wall and increase absorption.
What is the is the role of the large intestine?
Undigested food and water pass into the large intestine from the small intestine. Bacteria in the large intestine helps make some vitamins and the main source of gas. Water , vitamins, and minerals pass into the bloodstream.
