3rd Quarter Study Note: The Digestive System

What is the main function of the Digestive System?

Which process involves the breakdown of food by both mechanical and chemical mechanisms?

What is the function of peristalsis in the digestive system?

Which part of the body releases saliva and gastric juices to aid in digestion?

What is the role of enzymes in the digestive system?

Which process involves taking food into the body?

Where does the absorption of nutrients and water take place in the digestive tract?

Which organ is responsible for the chemical breakdown of materials by acid and enzymes, as well as mechanical processing through muscular contractions?

What is the function of the salivary glands in the digestive system?

Which organ is responsible for the dehydration and compaction of indigestible materials in preparation for elimination?

What is the main function of the pancreas in the digestive system?

Which organ is responsible for the storage and concentration of bile?

What is the main function of the pharynx in the digestive system?

What is the role of the tongue in the digestive process?

What is the primary function of the oral cavity (mouth) in the digestive process?

The Digestive System is responsible for breaking down and absorbing nutrients from food and liquids, which the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair.
The functions of the Digestive System include ingestion, peristalsis, digestion, secretion, and absorption.
Ingestion is the taking of food into the body, and it begins with chewing and swallowing.
Peristalsis is the physical movement or pushing of food through the digestive tract.
Digestion is the breakdown of food by both mechanical and chemical mechanisms.
Secretion involves the release of digestive fluids and enzymes to aid in the breakdown of food.
Absorption is the passage of digested food from the digestive tract into the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems for distribution to body's cells.
The major organs of the Digestive Tract include the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and accessory organs such as teeth, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
The oral cavity is responsible for ingestion, the mechanical processing of food with accessory organs like teeth and tongue, and moistening and mixing with salivary secretions.
The pharynx propels materials into the esophagus.
The esophagus transports materials to the stomach.
The stomach chemically breaks down materials with acid and enzymes and mechanically processes them through muscular contractions.
The small intestine further chemically breaks down materials with acid and enzymes and mechanically processes them through muscular contractions, where absorption occurs.
The large intestine dehydrates and compacts indigestible materials in preparation for elimination.
Accessory organs include teeth for mechanical processing, the tongue for analysis, salivary glands for lubricating fluid containing enzymes, the liver for secretion of bile and storage of nutrients, the gallbladder for storage concentration of bile, and the pancreas for exocrine cells that secrete buffers and digestive enzymes and endocrine cells that secrete hormones.

Learn about the crucial role of the Digestive System in breaking down and absorbing nutrients from food and liquid for energy, growth, and cellular repair.