Digestive & Urinary Systems Flashcards
what is the function of the digestive system?
digestion and absorption
what is digestion?
mechanical and chemical breakdown of food
what is absorption?
necessary nutrients go from inside the intestines into the circulating fluids of the body
Describe the digestive process
“disassembly line”
food becomes less complex at each step
what are the five essential activities that occur in the digestive process?
- Ingestion
- Propulsion
- Digestion
- Absorption
- Defecation
what are the two stages of digestion?
mechanical and chemical
what are the main organs of the digestive system?
mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, ends at the anus
what are the accessary organs of the digestive system?
salivary glands, liver, gall bladder, pancreas
Describe the function of the mouth
beginning of the digestive process
chewing breaks down food
Describe the function of the salivary glands
produces saliva
helps lubricate food
begin the the breakdown of carbohydrates
help control pH
contain enzymes that can degrade/neutralize bacteria
Describe the function of the pharynx
carries food from the mouth to the esophagus
Describe the function of the esophagus
receives food from the mouth and delivers food to the stomach
Describe the function of the stomach
temporary storage for food
chemical breakdown occurs
mechanical processing through muscular contractions
Describe the function of the small intestine
duodenum, jejunum, ileum
enzymatic digestion and absorption of water, organic substrates, vitamins
Describe the function of the pancreas
secretes digestive enzymes that break down protein, fats, and carbohydrates
makes insulin
Describe the function of the liver
process nutrients absorbed from the small intestine
purifies the blood
secretes bile
detoxifies the body
Describe the function of the gallbladder
storage site for excess bile
Describe the function of the large intestine
processing waste
has bacteria that synthesizes vitamins, protect against harmful bacteria
what is the function of the urinary system?
remove waste products
maintain water balance
maintain acid balance of the blood
what are the organs in the urinary system?
kidneys
ureter
bladder
sphincters
urethra
Describe the function of the kidneys
filter/cleanse the blood
excrete waste through urine
Describe the function of the ureter
narrow tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder
carries urine
Describe the function of the bladder
temporary storage reservoir for urine
Describe the function of the sphincters
rings of muscle tissue that allow urine to gather in the bladder
