Lesson 5 - Digestion Flashcards
What is the function of the digestive system?
The digestive system breaks down food into smaller molecules so the body can absorb nutrients for energy, growth, and repair.
What is digestion?
Digestion is the process of breaking down large, insoluble food molecules into smaller, soluble molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
What is the role of the mouth in digestion?
The mouth is where digestion begins. Teeth chew food into smaller pieces (mechanical digestion), and saliva contains enzymes (like amylase) that start breaking down carbohydrates (chemical digestion).
What is the role of the oesophagus?
The oesophagus is a muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach using wave-like muscle contractions called peristalsis.
What happens in the stomach during digestion?
The stomach churns food (mechanical digestion) and mixes it with stomach acid and enzymes, like protease, to break down proteins (chemical digestion).
What is the role of the small intestine in digestion?
The small intestine is where most digestion and absorption take place. Enzymes break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestine walls.
What is the function of bile in digestion?
Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It helps break down fats into smaller droplets (emulsification) and neutralises stomach acid in the small intestine.
What happens in the large intestine?
The large intestine absorbs water from undigested food and forms solid waste (feces), which is stored in the rectum before being expelled through the anus.
What are enzymes, and how do they help in digestion?
Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. In digestion, enzymes break down large molecules into smaller ones:
Name two key organs that produce digestive enzymes but are not part of the digestive tract.
The liver: Produces bile to aid fat digestion.
The pancreas: Produces enzymes like amylase, protease, and lipase, which are released into the small intestine.
