Anatomy of the Digestive System

Anatomy of the Digestive System

• Mouth: Chews food and mixes it with amylase, initiating carbohydrate breakdown.
• Esophagus: Peristalsis moves bolus (chewed food) to the stomach.
• Stomach: Bolus mixes with gastric juices to form chyme.
• Small Intestine: Pancreatic enzymes and bile break down food; villi absorb nutrients.
• Large Intestine: Absorbs water and electrolytes; fiber moves the waste.
• Rectum/Anus: Stores and eliminates waste.

Key Digestive Terms

• Peristalsis: Wave-like muscular movement pushing food through the digestive tract.
• Enzymes: Proteins that speed up chemical reactions, like breaking down food.
• Amylase: Enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into sugars.
• Bolus: Chewed, softened food ready for swallowing.
• Nutrients: Substances in food that provide energy and support bodily functions.
• Microbiome: Trillions of microorganisms living in the body, aiding digestion.
• Bile: Liver-produced fluid, stored in the gallbladder, aiding fat breakdown.

Caloric Content of Food

• Calories: Measure of energy provided by food.
• Carbohydrates: Main nutrient source for calories.

Photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis: Plants use sunlight, water, and CO2 to produce glucose (food) and release oxygen.
• Light Absorption: Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight.
• Water Absorption: Roots absorb water from soil.
• Oxygen Production: Water is split into oxygen and hydrogen.
• Glucose Formation: Sunlight, water, and CO2 are used to create glucose.
• Oxygen Release: Oxygen is a byproduct of photosynthesis.

Circular Economy

• Circular Economy: Focuses on reducing material use through reuse, recycling, repairing, and reducing.

Big Bang Theory

• Big Bang Theory: A scientific theory proposing the universe originated from a massive explosion.

Environmental Factors

• Abiotic Factors: Non-living components of an environment (sunlight, water, temperature, soil).
• Biotic Factors: Living components of an environment (plants, animals, microorganisms).

Chemical Hazard Symbols

• Triangle Symbol: Indicates a hazard; exposure can cause injury.
• Octagon Symbol: Indicates potentially dangerous contents.
• Caution: Temporary injury possible; death with extreme exposure.
• Danger: Temporary or permanent injury or death possible.
• Extreme Danger: Very low exposure can cause injury or death.

States of Matter

• Solid: Tightly packed particles vibrating in place, fixed shape and volume.
• Liquid: Less tightly packed particles, able to flow, fixed volume but no fixed shape.
• Gas: Particles move freely, taking the shape and volume of their container.

Biodiversity and Sustainability

• Sustainability: Maintaining a balance in the environment.
• Resource Disruptions: Disrupting resources makes life unsustainable.
• Human Impact Example: Human impact on the Great Lakes shows the need for pollution reduction to protect ecosystems.

Chemical Formulas

• Water: H₂O
• Carbon Dioxide: CO₂
• Nitrogen Molecule: N₂
• Oxygen: O₂