Digestive System Basics Quiz

Functions of the Digestive System

• Breaks down food into smaller components for absorption
• Absorbs nutrients and water, eliminating waste products

Primary Nutrients Obtained During Digestion

• Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the main nutrients absorbed

Non-Alimentary Canal Organ

• The pancreas is not part of the alimentary canal

Role of Salivary Glands

• Produce saliva, which contains enzymes and lubricates food for easier swallowing

Function of Amylase

• Enzyme that breaks down starches into sugars, initiating carbohydrate digestion

Length of Adult's Digestive Tract

• Approximately 30 feet (9 meters) long

Role of the Epiglottis

• Flap that closes off the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway

Food Movement through the Esophagus

• Movement caused by peristalsis, which are wave-like muscle contractions

Function of the Pyloric Sphincter

• Regulates the passage of partially digested food (chyme) from the stomach to the small intestine

Organ Producing Bile

• The liver produces bile, critical for fat digestion and absorption

Location of Enzyme and Bile Addition

• Enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver are added to chyme in the small intestine

Function of the Appendix

• May play a role in immune function and maintaining gut flora, though its exact function is not well understood

Organ Producing Digestive Enzymes

• The pancreas produces enzymes that aid in the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates

Absorption in the Small Intestine

• Nutrients such as amino acids, fatty acids, and simple sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream

Role of the Large Intestine

• Absorbs water and electrolytes, forming and storing feces until elimination

Peristalsis in Stool Movement

• Helps move stool into the rectum for eventual excretion from the body

Test your knowledge of the digestive system and its role in breaking down food into nutrients. Learn about the alimentary canal and the journey food takes through the body, from the mouth to the anus.