The Digestive System, Carbs, Protein Flashcards
The body’s way of breaking down foods into nutrients in preparation for absorption
Digestion
A flexible muscular tube that extends from the mouth to the anus
Human body surrounds this
Gastrointestinal tract
The inner space within the GI tract
Lumen
The start of the GI tract
Teeth crush large pieces of food during chewing
Fluids from foods and beverages and saliva help break down foods
Chews and mixes food with saliva
Mouth
Passes food from mouth to stomach
There is a sphincter at each end of this
Esophagus
This holds food and processes it
Churns, mixes and grinds food to a liquid mass, adds acid, enzymes and fluid
Stomach
A semi-liquid in the stomach
Chyme
Secretes enzymes that digest all energy yielding nutrients to smaller nutrient particles to be taken into the bloodstream
10 feet long
Small intestine
Small intestine has folds, on these folds are little fingers that help with nutrient absorption
Villi
Absorbs water and minerals, passes waste like fiber, bacteria and unabsorbed nutrients, along with water to the rectum
Large intestine (colon)
Stores waste prior to elimination
Rectum
Holds rectum closed- opens to allow elimination
Anus
Secretes bile- acts as a filter for the body
Liver
Stores bile until it is needed
Gallbladder
Manufactures enzymes for the stomach
Pancreas
