Nutrients and Digestive System Flashcards
Function of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates, also known as carbs, are vital at every stage of life. They’re the body’s primary source of energy and the brain’s preferred energy source. Carbs are broken down by the body into glucose – a type of sugar. Glucose is used as fuel by your body’s cells, tissues, and organs.
Function of Lipids
Lipids are fatty compounds that perform a variety of functions in your body. They’re part of your cell membranes and help control what goes in and out of your cells.
They help:
- with moving and storing energy
- absorbing vitamins
- making hormones.
Function of Protein
You need protein in your diet to help your body repair cells and make new ones. Protein is also important for growth and development in children, teens, and pregnant women.
Function of Vitamins
Vitamins are essential nutrients that play various functions in the body, including supporting the immune system, promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails, supporting bone health, and maintaining cardiovascular health. They can cause toxicity if eaten in large amounts.
Function of Minerals
Minerals are important for your body to stay healthy. Your body uses minerals for many different jobs, including keeping your bones, muscles, heart, and brain working properly. Minerals are also important for making enzymes and hormones.
Difference between minerals and vitamins
The main difference is that vitamins are organic substances (meaning that they contain the element carbon) and minerals are inorganic substances.
Function of water in digestive system
Water and other drinks help break down food so that your body can take in (absorb) the nutrients. Water also makes stool softer, which helps prevent constipation.
Function of fibre in digestive system
Dietary fibre increases the weight and size of your stool and softens it. A bulky stool is easier to pass, decreasing your chance of constipation. If you have loose, watery stools, fibre may help to solidify the stool because it absorbs water and adds bulk to stool. Helps maintain bowel health.
What is mechanical digestion
In mechanical digestion, food is physically broken down into smaller fragments via the acts of chewing (mouth), churning (stomach) and segmentation (small intestine)
What is bile?
Bile is a digestive fluid that is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder until it is released into the small intestine. It plays an important role in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine.
What is chemical digestion?
This is the process where complex molecules like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are broken down into smaller pieces that your body can use. It requires special proteins called enzymes.
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts in the body, which means they help to speed up chemical reactions without being consumed or changed in the process.
Describe function of mouth in digestive system
The digestive process starts in your mouth when you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva, a digestive juice, which moistens food so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva contains enzymes, such as amylase, that begin to break down carbohydrates in the food.
Describe function of oesophagus
The primary function of the oesophagus is to transport food entering the mouth through the throat and into the stomach.
Describe function of stomach
The stomach’s main function is to mix, break down and partially digest food that is consumed, while also storing it temporarily before releasing it to the small intestine for further digestion and absorption.
