Digestive System - Module 3

Question 1

What are the functions of the digestive system?

Answer 1

• Physically/chemically breaks down food into smaller pieces and macromolecules
• Absorbs nutrients into blood for bodily use
• Helps maintain water, electrolyte, and nutrient balance
• Eliminates waste products

Question 2

What is mastication, bolus, enzymes, deglutition, peristalsis, and the uvulva?

Answer 2

• Mastication - “chewing”
• Bolus - mix of chewed food product and saliva
• Enzymes - substances that increase rate of chemical reactions (like salivary amylase, which breaks down starch into sugar)
• Degulation - “swallowing”
• Peristalsis - wave-like motions which flow food through the digestive tract
• Uvulva - small piece of tissue which hangs from the soft palate to keep food from entering the nasal cavity during swallowing

Question 3

What are the parts (sphincters) of the stomach? What is chyme?

(how long does food stay in the stomach?)

Answer 3

• Cardiac Sphincter - superior valve which opens/closes enterance to stomach to prevent esophageal backflow
• Pyloric Sphincter - inferior valve which opens/closes enterance to the small intestine for chyme
• Chyme - Bolus mixed with gastric juices

(food stays within the stomach for 1-4 hours)

Question 4

What are the parts of the small intestine?

Answer 4

• Duodenum - First 10-12 inches of small intestine
• Jejunum - Middle sect. of small intestine, approx. 8 feet in length
• Ileum - last 12 feet of small intestine, connecting to large intestine

(the process of digestion is completed within the small intestine)

Question 5

What are the parts of the large intestine? What bacteria help form stool/feces?

Answer 5

• Cecum - pouch at the beginning of large intestine
• Colon - Middle sect. of large intestine
• Rectum - Last 6-8 inches of large intestine
• Escherichia Coli (E-coli) - Bacteria which live in the large intestine and help produce stool and produce bodily vitamin K

Question 6

Where do most digestive products pass into the bloodstream?

Answer 6

The small intestine

Question 7

What 3 pancreatic juices does the pancreas secrete?

Answer 7

• Protease - breaks down proteins
• Amylase - breaks down starches
• Lipase- breaks down fats

Question 8

What does the liver secrete? What is bile?

Answer 8

• The liver secretes bile to help digest fat
• Bile breaks down fat and dissolves it in water for bodily re-absorption
• Bile is liver secretion

Question 9

What does the gallbladder do?

Answer 9

Recieves bile (digestive waste) from the liver for storage until it is needed in the small intestine

Question 10

Why is washing our hands after using the bathroom important?

Answer 10

Because of the presence of Escherichia coli (E-coli) bacteria

Question 11

What is an ulcer? How does it cause damage to digestive tract lining?

Answer 11

An ulcer is an open sore on the lining of the GI tract, caused by stress or H. pylori bacteria, which increases stomach acid production, causing the damage

Question 12

Where do most digestive products pass into the bloodstream?

Answer 12

The Small Intestine