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
