FUNCTION Flashcards
Able to describe the functions and major physiological processes of the digestive system
1
Q
Definition of gastrointestinal system
A
the organ system that processes food, extracts nutrients from it, and eliminates the residue
2
Q
Gastroenterology
A
the study of the digestive tract and the diagnosis and treatment of its disorders
3
Q
Five stages of digestion
A
- Ingestion: selective intake of food
- Digestion: mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into a form usable by the body
- Absorption: uptake of nutrient molecules into the epithelial cells of the digestive tract and then into the blood and lymph
- Compaction: absorbing water and consolidating the indigestible residue into feces
- Defecation: elimination of feces
4
Q
Types of digestion
A
mechanical digestion
chemical digestion
5
Q
Mechanical digestion
A
- the physical breakdown of food into smaller particles
- cutting and grinding action of the teeth
- churning contraction of stomach and small intestines
- exposes more food surface to the action of digestive enzymes
6
Q
Chemical digestion
A
- a series of hydrolysis reactions that breaks dietary macromolecules into their monomers (residues)
- carried out by digestive enzymes produced by salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine
7
Q
Anatomical subdivisions of the gastrointestinal system
A
Digestive tract
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract
