The Alimentary Canal Flashcards
Overall what does the alimentary canal involve?
The breakdown and absorption of complex carbohydrates, proteins in fat molecules
What is the alimentary canal?
A continuous tube that makes up the digestive system
Define mechanical digestion
The mechanical breakdown of food into small particles where the food is not chemically changed
Define chemical digestion
The chemical breakdown of food into small molecules from large complex molecules
What is the function or purpose of mechanical digestion
To increase surface area to volume ratio which allows more area for enzymes to act on
What is the function of purpose of chemical digestion
In order for molecules to be absorbed
Name the organs in order of digestion
Mouth oesophagus stomach small intestine large intestine rectem
Where are the three types of mechanical digestion in the body
The mouth
The stomach
The small intestine
Explain mechanical digestive in the mouth
Three types of human teeth
1) incisor- biting/ cutting
2) canine- Tearing
3) molars pre-molars- grinding
How many of each type of teeth do humans have
Four incisors two canines 10 pre-molars on each jaw
Why do carnivorus animals need large canines
tearing role is important
Explain the chemical digester in the mouth
Saliva glands secrete saliva into the mouth which contains saliva amylase (breaks starch into disaccharides)
Besides chemical digestion, what is the other functions of saliva in the mouth
Makes food slippery forming a bolus of food
How is the the food moved throughout the system
by peristalsis- movement of contraction of smooth muscles which Squeezes the food along in a wave like motion in front of it
Name the two sphincters of the stomach
The gastric and pyloric
