Digestive System Flashcards

Study Notes

Digestive System Functions

Breaks down food through mechanical and chemical processes.
Absorbs essential nutrients into the bloodstream.
Eliminates indigestible waste from the body.

Digestion Overview

Process of breaking food into smaller nutrient molecules.

Types of Digestion

Mechanical: Physical breakdown of food.
Chemical: Transformation of food into smaller chemical units.

Mechanical Digestion

Begins in the mouth with chewing and continues in the stomach through muscle contractions.

Chemical Digestion

Initiated in the mouth with saliva, continues in the stomach, and primarily occurs in the small intestine, aided by digestive juices.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscle contractions that propel food through the digestive system, starting from the esophagus.

Nutrient Absorption

Nutrients are absorbed mainly in the small intestine, passing through digestive system walls into the bloodstream.

Mouth Components

Saliva: Aids in digestion by softening food and beginning starch breakdown.
Teeth:
- Incisors cut food.
- Canines tear food.
- Molars crush and grind food.
Tongue: Assists in moving food for chewing and swallowing.

Saliva Function

Contains enzymes to soften food and initiate chemical digestion.

Esophagus

Muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, lined with mucus, facilitating peristalsis.

Epiglottis

Flap that seals the windpipe directing food into the esophagus.

Mucus in Digestion

Provides lubrication for easier swallowing and protects the stomach lining.

Stomach Function

J-shaped pouch where food is mixed into a thick liquid; major site for both mechanical and chemical digestion.

Digestive Juices

Includes pepsin and hydrochloric acid for breaking down proteins and killing bacteria in food.

Small Intestine

Named for its narrow diameter, about 2-3 cm wide and 6 m long; primary site for chemical digestion and nutrient absorption.

Liver

Major abdominal organ responsible for bile production.

Bile

Substance produced in the liver that breaks down large fat particles into smaller droplets; stored in the gall bladder.

Gall Bladder

Reservoir for bile, releases it into the small intestine after eating.

Pancreas

Triangular organ that produces enzymes to digest starches, proteins, and fats in the small intestine.

Villi

Tiny, finger-like structures in the small intestine that facilitate nutrient absorption.

Large Intestine

Final section of the digestive system; approximately 1.5 m long and wider than the small intestine; absorbs water and prepares waste for elimination.

Rectum

Last part of the large intestine, compresses waste material into a solid form.

Anus

Muscular opening at the end of the rectum for waste elimination.

Order of Digestive System Pathway

Sequence: Mouth → Esophagus → Stomach → Small Intestine → Large Intestine.

Food Transit Time in Digestive Organs

Varies in duration but essential for effective digestion and absorption; specific times not detailed.

Description

Explore the intricate workings of the digestive system with these informative flashcards. Learn about the three main functions of digestion, the types of digestion, and the processes involved in breaking down food. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of human biology.

Digestive System Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are the three functions of the digestive system?

Define digestion.

What are the two types of digestion?

What happens during mechanical digestion?

What is the role of saliva in digestion?

What is the main function of the esophagus?

What is peristalsis?

Which organ produces bile?

What is the role of enzymes in digestion?

The last section of the digestive system is the _____ intestine.

What happens in the small intestine?

Match the following organs with their functions:

The muscular opening at the end of the rectum is called the _____