Digestive System Revision Flashcards
Why do we need food?
Food provides the nutrients that are digested and absorbed by the body.
What are the 7 dietary components?
Carbs, protein, fat, fibre, vitamins, minerals and water
What is the definition of a balanced diet?
A balanced diet contains the correct amount of all food groups. The food groups are: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and water
What is the definition of digestion?
The process of breaking down food into molecules so they are soluble enough to be absorbed into the blood system where they can be used by the cells of the body.
What is the definition of ingestion?
Food is taken into the mouth.
What is the definition of digestion?
Food is broken down into smaller particles.
What is the definition of absorbtion?
Digested food goes into your bloodstream.
What is the definition of Egestion?
Food which cannot be digested goes out of the anus.
What is the definition of an enzyme?
Enzymes are special protein molecules that speed up reactions (such as digestion.)
What is mechanical digestion?
Mechanical digestion is carried out by the teeth. They chew the food to break it up into smaller pieces.
What is mechanical digestion?
Mechanical digestion is carried out by the teeth. They chew the food to break it up into smaller pieces.
What is chemical digestion?
Chemical digestion is carried out by enzymes. As we chew the salivary glands create saliva which mixes with the food. Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase. The amylase starts to break down starch into sugar.
Why is food digested more quickly when it’s in small pieces?
When food is broken down into smaller pieces it has a larger surface area for the enzymes to reach and action.
What is peristalsis?
Peristalsis is a wave of muscular contractions that passes food from the esophagus to the stomach.
How is food digested in the stomach and what is pepsin?
The food is mixed with gastric juices. This juice contains hydrochloric acid which kills micro organisms.
Pepsin is an enzyme in hydrochloric acid which helps to digest protein and break it down into amino acids.
