The Human Digestive System Flashcards
A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
Esophagus
An organ of the digestive system with two roles. The first is to produce digestive enzymes which are delivered to the small intestine. The second is to secrete insulin into the bloodstream to help regulate blood glucose levels.
The Pancreas
An organ that stores bile and releases it as needed into the small intestine.
The Gall Bladder
A winding tightly folded tube around 7m long that connects the stomach to the large intestine. Most of the food a person consumes is digested and absorbed in this organ,
The Small intestine
A short tube at the end of the large intestine where waste material is compressed into a solid form before being eliminated.
The rectum
A muscular opening at the end of the rectum through which waste is eliminated from the body.
Anus
The first part of the small intestine. It is involved in both chemical digestion of food and its absorption into the blood stream.
The duodenum
Compounds in food that the body requires for proper growth, maintenance and functioning.
Nutrients
Why does bread taste sweeter the longer you chew on it?
The saliva in your mouth contains enzymes that turn the starch in bread into sugars giving it a sweeter taste.
A substance produced by the liver that breaks up fat particles and is stored in the gall bladder.
Bile
What are the finger like projections in the small intestine that are used to absorb nutrients into the blood stream.
Villi
What is ‘nutrients’?
A substance that provides nourishment essential for the maintenance of life and for growth.
Name the 5 food groups
Proteins Carbohydrates Vitamins Minerals Lipids
What are the characteristics of the food groups?
Proteins-Source of energy, used to make body tissue and enzymes
Carbohydrates- Source of energy
Vitamins-Needed for particular chemical processes in the body
Minerals-Needed for particular chemical processes in the body.
Lipids-Source of energy fatty acids.
What is the definition of an enzyme?
A substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific chemical reaction, ie in the breakdown of food, can be found in saliva and other digestive organs.
