digestive system overview

Question 1

what is the purpose of breaking down nutrients?

Answer 1

so they are small enough to be reabsorbed, then can eventually be used in catabolic and anabolic reactions.

Question 2

name four functions of the digestive system

Answer 2

ingestion, mechanical processing, excretion and defence

Question 3

what are the four digestive processes?

Answer 3

digestion (chemical breakdown), absorption of nutrients from the GI tract to the extracellular fluid, secretion of fluids into GI tract, motility.

Question 4

how is the digestive system organised?

Answer 4

2 parts, the GI tract and accessory glands. GI tract has the upper and lower GI tract.

Question 5

what makes up the upper GI tract?

Answer 5

mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach

Question 6

what makes up the lower GI tract?

Answer 6

small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus

Question 7

what are the accessory glands?

Answer 7

they aid digestion by enzymatic secretion.
they include: salivary, liver, gall bladder, pancreas.