Digestive System Overview

What is the function of the epiglottis in the digestive system?

Which organ is responsible for storing bile and releasing it into the small intestine?

What is the function of pepsins in the stomach?

Which part of the small intestine absorbs the most nutrients?

What process is responsible for moving food from the throat to the stomach?

Which organ produces bile to aid in digestion?

What is the function of HCL in the stomach during digestion?

What is the primary role of villi and microvilli in the small intestine?

Which organ contributes to regulating blood sugar levels in the body?

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

Which organ is responsible for fermenting carbohydrates and absorbing excess water in the digestive process?

What is the specific function of pepsins in the stomach during digestion?

Mouth and Epiglottis

Teeth break down food into small pieces and mix with saliva from the tongue to form a bolus.
Epiglottis closes the trachea to prevent food from entering and causing choking.

Esophagus

The esophagus is a 20cm long tube that produces mucus and uses peristalsis to move food from the throat to the stomach.

Stomach

The stomach stores food and breaks it down into tiny pieces, mixing it with digestive juices that contain pepsins to break down proteins and lipids.
Hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the stomach kills bacteria.
The food in the stomach is called chyme.

Small Intestine

The small intestine is 7m long and composed of the duodenum, jejunum (absorbs the most), and ileum.
The lining of the small intestine has villi, which are covered in microvilli to increase surface area for absorption.
The small intestine absorbs 80% of ingested water, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

Large Intestine

The large intestine is 1.5m long and absorbs whatever the small intestine doesn't absorb.
The large intestine digests bacteria, ferments carbohydrates, and absorbs more water and concentrates waste.

Accessory Organs

Liver

The liver produces bile, which helps digest fat and filters out toxins and waste.
The liver regulates blood sugar levels.

Gallbladder

The gallbladder stores bile from the liver and releases it into the small intestine through the bile duct.
Fatty acids can cause gallstones.

Pancreas

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes to digest fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
The pancreas regulates blood sugar levels by producing insulin.

Learn about the key organs and processes involved in the digestive system, such as the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Understand how food is broken down and processed by different enzymes and mechanisms.