The Digestive System Flashcards
What is digestion?
Digestion is the breakdown of food into simple substances.
What is a mechanical and chemical digestion?
- Mechanical digestions is the physical breakdown of food.
* Chemical digestion is the breakdown of food by chemicals called enzymes.
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are chemicals that break down food.
What are 2 functions of an enzyme?
- Breaks down food
* Speed up digestion
Why does digestion takes place?
To get energy and nutrients from food.
Where does digestion begin?
In the mouth
Teeth breaking up food into smaller pieces is called what?
Mastication
The passageway tube from the mouth to the anus is called what?
The Alimentary Canal
What is Peristalsis?
Muscular wave like contraptions
Food moves through the Alimentary Canal by a process called what?
Peristalsis
The oesophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Does digestion takes place here?
NO
The stomach mixes and churns food into a semi solid liquid called what?
Chyme
What is the name of the enzyme that the stomach produces and what is its functions (2)?
- Pepsin
* It breaks down protein and produces hydrochloric acid.
What is the purpose of Hydrochloric Acid in the stomach?
To kill some bacteria that may be present in food.
Where does most absorption of food and nutrients take place?
In the small intestine
The small intestine has tiny like finger projections called what?
Villi
What is the function of villi?
To increase the surface area for the absorption of food
Where does digestion end?
In the small intestine
The pancreas makes pancreatic juice. The pancreatic juice is made up of what enzymes(3)?
- Amylase
- Lipase
- Trypsin
The liver makes a digestive substance called what?
Bile
Where is bile stored?
In the gall bladder
What is bile function?
Bile emulsifies fat (breaks up fat into tiny droplets)
What are starches broken down into?
Glucose
What is protein broken down into?
Amino acids
What are fats (lipids) broken down into?
fatty acids (and glycerol)
Which organ only digests water?
The large intestine
What does the rectum store?
feces
Where are the villi found?
In the small intestine
List 3 digestive orders.
- Constipation- when food moves through the alimentary canal too slowly
- Diarrhea- when food moves through the alimentary canal to quickly
- Stomach Ulcers- When acid damages the lining of the stomach
Where does mechanical and chemical digestion takes place?
In the mouth
The tongue rolls the food into a wet ball called what?
A bolus
What enzyme can be found in saliva? What is its function?
- Salivary amylase
* It breaks down starches
What is the epiglottis?
A flap of tissue which covers the trachea (windpipe) while swallowing. This prevents choking.
