The digestive system (digestion, mouth, oesphagus and stomach) Flashcards
What is the digestive system used for?
It digests and breaks down food into small, absorbable nutrients for energy and growth.
What is the alimentary canal?
A continuous tube running from the mouth to the anus, containing 5 structures: Mouth, Oesophagus, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine.
What are the accessory organs of the digestive system?
Salivary Glands, Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas.
What are the six basic activities of the digestive system?
Ingestion, Absorption, Movement, Mechanical Digestion, Chemical Digestion, Elimination.
What is ingestion?
The process of taking food and liquids in through the mouth.
What is absorption?
The process where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream after digestion.
What is movement in digestion?
The movement of food through the digestive tract.
What is mechanical digestion?
The physical breakdown of food in the digestive system.
What is chemical digestion?
The breakdown of food into smaller pieces using enzymes.
What is elimination?
The removal of indigestible substances and wastes from the body.
What is the function of the mouth in digestion?
Begins digestion by mechanically breaking down food (chewing) and chemically breaking down carbohydrates with saliva.
What is the function of the oesophagus?
Transports food from the mouth to the stomach.
What is the function of the stomach?
Stores and churns food, secretes gastric juices to break down proteins.
What is the function of the small intestine?
Absorbs nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream; completes digestion with enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver.
What is the function of the large intestine?
Absorbs water and electrolytes; compacts undigested material into feces for elimination.
What is the function of salivary glands?
Produce saliva, which contains amylase to begin carbohydrate digestion.
What is the function of the liver?
Produces bile, which helps break down fats and aids digestion.
What is the function of the gallbladder?
Stores and releases bile into the small intestine to assist with fat digestion.
What is the function of the pancreas?
Produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid; also regulates blood sugar levels.
Which enzyme breaks down carbohydrates?
Amylase.
Which enzyme breaks down proteins?
Protease.
Which enzyme breaks down lipids?
Lipase.
What do carbohydrates break down into?
Starch → Disaccharides → Monosaccharides (simple sugars).
What do proteins break down into?
Protein → Polypeptides → Peptides → Amino Acids.
