The Digestive System Flashcards
Two types of changes
Physical and chemical
Functions of the digestive system
Food is broken down into tiny particles
Nutrients are passed into the blood so they can be used in the body
Waste matter is excreted
Examples of physicians change in digestion
Teeth cut and grind food into smaller particles in the mouth.
The stomach churns the food into a smooth paste/mixture called chyme.
Examples of chemical changes during digestion
Digestive enzymes break down the food into smaller particles for absorption in the blood
Proteins are changed into amino acids
Fats are changed into fatty acids and glycerol
Carbs are change into simple sugars eg glucose
Explain what occurs in the mouth during digestion
The teeth cut and grind the food into sampler particles. The food is mixed with saliva. Saliva contains an enzyme called salivary amylase. Salivary amylase changes carbohydrates (starch) into shorter chains (maltose)
What occurs in the oesophagus during digestion
The oesophagus is a tube that joins the mouth to the stomach. The food is pushed along this tube into the stomach by a muscular movement called peristalsis (muscular contractions)
What occurs in the stomach during digestion
The stomach is a muscular bag that stores the food and churns it into a smooth liquid called chyme. An enzyme called pepsin is produced in the stomach. Pepsin changes to protein to peptide chains. Acid is also produced in the stomach which helps pepsin work. The chyme gradually goes out of the stomach into the small intestine
What happens in the liver during digestion
The gall bladder in the liver produces bile which helps to break down fats
What happens in the pancreas during digestion
The pancreas produces enzymes
What happens in the small intestine during digestion
The small intestine joins the stomach and the large intestine. BILE PANCREATIC JUICES AND INTESTINAL JUICES ARE ADDED TO FOOD IN THE SMALL INTESTINE. Enzymes in the small intestine cause chemical changes:
-Proteins and peptide chains change to amino acids
-Sugars (carbohydrates) are changed to simple sugars such as glucose
-Fats are changed into fatty acids and glycerol
Then digested food is absorbed in the blood.
What is absorption
Movement of digested food into blood
What a are villi
Tiny hair like fingers in small intestine
Why does the body transport digested food around the body
To use the nutrients in the food for
- growth
- energy
- repair
- heat
- healthy eyes
- healthy skins
- etc
What happens in the large intestine during digestion
Vitamins B+K are produced.
Faeces pushes along by peristalsis
Rectum forces faeces out of body through anus
Fibre and water makes it bulky
Guidelines for healthy digestive system
Eat fibre Drink lots of water Reduce alcohol Visit doctor for digestive problems Eat probiotic food eg. Probiotic yoghurt such as activia
