MPII U2 DS Organ Functions Flashcards
Mouth
site of ingestion
Tongue and teeth
mechanical digestion increases surface area
Salivary Glands
secrete saliva “chemical digestion”
saliva
moistens food, contains enzyme = salivary amylase which works on polysaccharides (starch)
Pharynx
throat, involved in swallowing
Esophagus
long tube connecting throat to stomach
Peristalsis
rhythmic muscular contractions that push food through the tube
Stomach
sphincter muscles
pepsin
enzyme that digests proteins
HCl
hydrochloric acid
mucus
coats and protects the stomach wall
chyme
vomit
Small Intestine
- MOST chemical digestion occurs here.
- site of absorption of nutrients into the blood
- Food is completely broken down into monomers (nutrients)
villi
- increase surface area for absorption.
- Each microvilli contain capillaries which absorb the nutrients into the blood by diffusion
Liver
secretes bile
gall bladder
emulsifies fats
Pancreas
- secretes 4 chemicals into the duodenum:
- amylase: continues breakdown of starch
- trypsin: continues breakdown of protein
- lipase: breaks down fat
- sodium bicarbonate: neutralizes acid from stomach (base) pH (8-9)
Large Intestine (Colon)
- removes water from undigested food.
- absorption of water into the blood.
- houses (healthy)bacteria.
- vitamin K
Rectum
temporarily stores feces
Anus
- end of alimentary canal
- site of elimination
