Digestive System

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Questions and Answers

Which process relies on biological catalysts to accelerate chemical reactions, aiding in the breakdown of food?

  • Chemical digestion (correct)
  • Absorption
  • Mechanical digestion
  • Egestion

The primary function of the large intestine is to secrete enzymes that aid in the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

False (B)

What is the physiological significance of emulsification in the context of lipid digestion, and which organ facilitates this process by producing bile?

Emulsification increases the surface area of fats for enzyme action; the liver produces bile.

The pancreas contributes to the digestive process by secreting enzymes such as amylase, protease, and lipase, which are crucial for the breakdown of _______________, _______________, and _______________, respectively.

<p>carbohydrates, protein, lipids</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each digestive organ with its primary digestive function:

<p>Mouth = Initiates mechanical and chemical digestion of carbohydrates Stomach = Mixes food with protease enzymes and hydrochloric acid to digest proteins Small intestine = Absorbs nutrients into the bloodstream via villi Large intestine = Absorbs water and electrolytes, forming feces</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach during digestion?

<p>Killing harmful bacteria and providing an optimal pH for pepsin activity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The presence of villi and microvilli in the large intestine significantly enhances the absorption of nutrients, mirroring their function in the small intestine.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Elaborate on the dual role of the liver in digestion, specifically detailing its exocrine and metabolic functions relevant to nutrient processing.

<p>The liver produces bile (exocrine), which aids in fat emulsification, and metabolically processes absorbed nutrients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The process by which food is propelled through the alimentary canal via rhythmic contractions of smooth muscle is known as _______________, which ensures unidirectional movement from the esophagus to the rectum.

<p>peristalsis</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the enzymes with the substrate they act upon:

<p>Amylase = Carbohydrates Protease = Proteins Lipase = Lipids</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which structural adaptation significantly enhances the absorptive capacity of the small intestine?

<p>Extensive network of villi and microvilli (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The primary function of the esophagus is to enzymatically break down food boluses into chyme through peristaltic contractions.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of gut bacteria in synthesizing essential nutrients and their impact on overall host health.

<p>Gut bacteria synthesize vitamins like K and B, aiding in nutrient absorption and immune modulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The terminal segment of the large intestine, where feces are stored prior to elimination, is known as the _______________.

<p>rectum</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the digestive secretion with its site of production:

<p>Saliva = Salivary glands Bile = Liver Pancreatic enzymes = Pancreas Hydrochloric acid = Stomach</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do enzymes function in digestion?

<p>They increase the rate of chemical reactions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Mechanical digestion involves the use of enzymes to break down food chemically.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of saliva in the initial stages of digestion.

<p>Saliva moistens food and contains amylase to break down carbohydrates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The enzyme found in saliva that begins the digestion of carbohydrates is called _______________.

<p>amylase</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the enzyme with the type of food it digests:

<p>Protease = Proteins Lipase = Fats</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which organ makes bile to help emulsify fats?

<p>Liver (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The oesophagus primarily functions to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>The stomach mixes food with enzymes and acid to digest proteins.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The pancreas produces enzymes that digest proteins, carbohydrates, and _______________.

<p>fats</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following digestive functions to the correct part of the alimentary canal:

<p>Digestion begins = Mouth Water is absorbed = Large intestine Food is stored as feces = Rectum</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where does food get absorbed into the blood?

<p>Small intestine (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Digestion is an easy process that only requires one organ.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are enzymes?

<p>Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Undigested food is stored as _______________ in the rectum.

<p>faeces</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the enzyme to its function:

<p>Amylase = Breaks down carbohydrates Protease = Breaks down proteins Lipase = Breaks down fats</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does saliva contain?

<p>Amylase (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The liver produces hydrochloric acid.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the muscular tissue in the stomach?

<p>To move the stomach wall and churn up food.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The small intestine is covered with millions of finger-like projections called _______________.

<p>villi</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the term with its definition:

<p>Mechanical Digestion = Physical breakdown of food Chemical Digestion = Breakdown of food using enzymes Absorption = Uptake into blood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of bacteria in the gut?

<p>Destroying harmful toxins (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Villi have a thick outer layer of cells to prevent harmful substances from being absorbed.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What three things make villi efficient at absorbing food?

<p>Large surface area, good blood supply, thin outer layer of cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

The lining of the small intestine contains tiny finger-like projections called _______.

<p>villi</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the bacterial benefit (in regards to digestion) with the appropriate description:

<p>Help digest food = Produce enzymes Maintain health = Produce vitamins Prevent infection = Reduce possibility of harmful bacteria</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Mechanical Digestion

Breaking down food mechanically using teeth.

Chemical Digestion

Breaking down food with enzymes.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body.

Alimentary Canal

The canal from mouth to anus

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Mouth

Where digestion starts; mixes food with saliva containing amylase.

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Amylase

Enzyme in saliva that breaks down carbohydrates.

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Oesophagus

Links the mouth to the stomach.

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Stomach

Organ where food mixes with protease enzymes and hydrochloric acid.

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Protease

Enzymes which digest proteins.

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Hydrochloric Acid

Kills bacteria and provides low pH for enzyme function in the stomach.

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Liver

Makes bile, breaks fats into tiny droplets (emulsification).

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Emulsification

Breaks fats into tiny droplets.

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Pancreas

Contains enzymes to digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

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Protease

Digests protein.

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Carbohydrase

Digests carbohydrates.

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Lipase

Digests lipids (fats).

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Large Intestine

Absorbs water.

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Rectum

Stores undigested food (faeces).

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Anus

Where undigested food exits the body.

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Small Intestine

Further digests carbohydrates, proteins, and fats; absorbs nutrients into the blood.

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Insoluble Molecules

Food molecules too large to pass through the gut wall.

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Soluble Molecules

Food molecules that can pass through the gut wall.

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Absorption

Absorb food molecules into the blood.

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Villi

Tiny finger-like projections lining the small intestine for absorption.

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Unicellular Organisms

Single-celled organisms.

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Study Notes

  • Digestion involves the body breaking down food to use the nutrients.
  • The process requires multiple organs working together.

Breaking Down Food

  • There are two steps in digestion.
  • The first is mechanical and the second is chemical.
  • Mechanical digestion involves physically breaking down food, e.g., chewing.
  • Chemical digestion involves breaking down food with enzymes.
  • Enzymes are biological catalysts speeding up chemical reactions in the body.

The Alimentary Canal

  • Eight key parts of the alimentary canal are involved in digestion.
  • These include the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.

Mouth

  • Digestion starts in the mouth.
  • The teeth chew the food and mix it with saliva.
  • Saliva contains amylase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates.

Oesophagus

  • The oesophagus, or food pipe, links the mouth to the stomach.

Stomach

  • In the stomach, food mixes with protease enzymes, which digest proteins.
  • The stomach has muscular tissue to churn the food.
  • Hydrochloric acid in the stomach kills bacteria and provides a low pH for enzyme function.

Liver

  • The liver produces bile.
  • Bile helps break fats into tiny droplets through emulsification.
  • Bile is alkaline, providing the right pH for enzymes in the small intestine.

Pancreas

  • The pancreas contains glandular tissue and produces three enzymes.
  • Protease digests protein.
  • Carbohydrase digests carbohydrates.
  • Lipase digests lipids (fats).

Small Intestine

  • The small intestine produces more enzymes that digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
  • Food is absorbed through the gut wall into the blood.
  • Blood transports the nutrients around the body to where they are needed.
  • The small intestine is covered in villi.
  • Food molecules are absorbed into the blood in the small intestine.
  • Bacteria are abundant in the alimentary canal, particularly in the small and large intestines
  • They aid digestion by producing enzymes.

Large Intestine

  • Water is absorbed in the large intestine.

Rectum

  • Undigested food is stored as faeces in the rectum.
  • Egestion occurs when faeces are eliminated via the anus.

Absorption of Food Molecules

  • Big, insoluble food molecules cannot pass through the gut wall.
  • Enzymes break down large molecules into smaller, soluble ones.
  • Small molecules pass through the gut wall into the blood.
  • The blood carries the molecules to cells, where they are used.

Villi

  • Villi are small, finger-like projections lining the small intestine.
  • Villi are suited for absorbing food.
  • Villi have a thin outer layer of cells.
  • Villi have a good blood supply.
  • Villi provide a large surface area for absorption.

Bacteria in the Gut

  • The gut contains about 100 trillion bacterial cells.
  • Bacteria are unicellular organisms.
  • Bacteria in the gut help to digest food.
  • They produce useful vitamins e.g. Vitamin K and hormones.
  • They reduce the growth of harmful bacteria.

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