Digestive Systems Flashcards
1
Q
what are the 4 functions of the stomach
A
- temporary storage chamber of food
- physical breakdown of food (churning)
- chemical breakdown of food (HCL)
- sterilisation of pathogens
2
Q
what is the small intestine
A
-main site for enzymatic (chemical) digestion and the absorption of the products of digestion
3
Q
what are the enzymes of the small intestine
A
- peptidase breaks down proteins (peptides) into amino acids.
- maltase breaks down maltose (sugar).
- lactase breaks down lactose (Milk sugar) into glucose and galactose.
- lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
4
Q
what is the structure of the small intestinal wall
A
- smooth muscle for peristalsis
- villi and microvilli contains blood capillaries and lacteal
5
Q
what is bile
A
- produced in liver
- stored in the gallbladder
- coloured yellow/green by old erythrocytes
- bile salts emulsifies fats and activates lipase
6
Q
what is a liver
A
- divided into 6 smooth lobes
- vascular
- arterial blood
- products of digestion from the hepatic portal vein
7
Q
what are the functions of the liver
A
- protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism
- vitamin and mineral storage
- metabolism of haemoglobin
- detoxification
- production of heat and bile
8
Q
what is the large intestine
A
- consists of the caecum, colon, rectum and anal sphincter
- lacks villi and digestive glands but has more goblet cells (mucus)
9
Q
what is the caecum
A
- used for bacterial fermentation in herbivores to breakdown cellulose
- no use in carnivores
10
Q
colon, rectum and anal sphincter
A
- split into three sections
- absorbs water, water soluble vitamins and salts
- rectum stores faeces
- anus excretes faeces
