Digestive System Processes Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the process of digesting and absorbing nutrients?

  • Absorption
  • Propulsion
  • Ingestion (correct)
  • Excretion

    • Which process involves voluntary and involuntary muscular contractions to mix and move materials through the GI tract?

  • Ingestion
  • Excretion
  • Absorption
  • Propulsion (correct)

    • What type of digestion involves breaking food into smaller pieces without changing its chemical composition?

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

    • Which process involves enzymes breaking down food molecules into absorbable nutrients?

    <p>Chemical Digestion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of excretion in the digestive process?

    <p>Expelling indigestible components (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which enzyme is secreted in the oral cavity and initiates the digestion of starch?

    <p>Salivary amylase (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name given to the mixture of food and gastric secretions in the stomach?

    <p>Chyme (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a primary function of the small intestine?

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

    Which organ stores and concentrates bile?

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

    What is the primary function of bile in digestion?

    <p>Emulsifies fats (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following has an endocrine function in the digestive system by producing insulin and glucagon?

    <p>Pancreas (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the GI tract is responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes from undigested material?

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

    What enzyme begins the breakdown of starches in the mouth?

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

    Which enzyme breaks down proteins into smaller peptides in the stomach?

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

    Where does the digestion of lipids primarily occur?

    <p>Small Intestine (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hormone stimulates the release of gastric acid and pepsinogen?

    <p>Gastrin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of pancreatic amylase?

    <p>Continues starch breakdown (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what form are carbohydrates absorbed in the small intestine?

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

    What is the role of bile salts in lipid digestion?

    <p>Emulsify fats (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where does the breakdown of nucleic acids primarily occur?

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

    Flashcards

    Ingestion

    The process of taking in solid and liquid nutrients into the mouth.

    Propulsion

    The movement of food through the digestive tract via muscular contractions.

    Mechanical Digestion

    Physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces without altering chemical structure.

    Chemical Digestion

    Breakdown of food using enzymes, converting food into absorbable nutrients.

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    Excretion

    The removal of undigested food and waste from the body.

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    Salivary Amylase

    An enzyme secreted in saliva that begins starch digestion.

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    Bolus

    A soft mass of chewed food swallowed from the mouth.

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    Chyme

    A semi-liquid mixture of food and gastric secretions in the stomach.

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    Pancreatic Amylase

    An enzyme that continues the breakdown of starches in the small intestine.

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    Pepsin

    An enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.

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    Trypsin

    A pancreatic enzyme that digests proteins in the small intestine.

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    Lipase

    An enzyme that digests fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

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    Bile

    A digestive liquid produced by the liver that emulsifies fats.

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    Amino Acids

    Building blocks of proteins absorbed in the small intestine.

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    Nucleotides

    The building blocks of nucleic acids, absorbed in the small intestine.

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    Gallbladder

    Stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.

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    Villi

    Small finger-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients.

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    Cystic Duct

    Connects the gallbladder to the common bile duct.

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    Carbohydrates

    Organic molecules that provide energy, requiring specific enzymes for digestion.

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    Electrolyte Absorption

    Process of absorbing minerals essential for body functions in the intestine.

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    Study Notes

    Digestive System Processes

    • Ingestion: Intake of food and liquids into the oral cavity, the first step in digestion.
    • Propulsion: Movement of food through the digestive tract via voluntary and involuntary muscle contractions, mixing and moving materials.
    • Mechanical Digestion: Physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces, e.g., chewing and churning, without changing chemical composition.
    • Chemical Digestion: Breakdown of food molecules into absorbable nutrients using enzymes and other chemicals.
    • Absorption: Transport of digested molecules, electrolytes, vitamins, and water from the GI tract into the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
    • Excretion: Removal of undigested food and waste products from the body.

    Digestive Tract Organs and Functions

    Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

    • Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands: Mechanical digestion begins; saliva containing amylase (starch digestion) mixes with food to form a bolus.
    • Pharynx: Bolus moves to the pharynx during swallowing; mucus facilitates swallowing.
    • Esophagus: Transports the bolus from the pharynx to the stomach; lubricated by mucus.
    • Stomach: Bolus mixes with gastric secretions and smooth muscle contractions to form chyme; secretions produced by stomach epithelial cells.
    • Duodenum: Part of upper GI tract, where chyme from the stomach mixes with digestive juices from accessory organs.

    Lower Gastrointestinal Tract and Accessory Organs

    • Small Intestine: Major site of nutrient absorption, absorbing most nutrients, water, electrolytes, and vitamins within a few hours.
    • Gallbladder: Stores, concentrates, and releases bile produced by the liver; aids in fat digestion.
    • Pancreas: Produces enzymes (pancreatic juice) for digestion and hormones (insulin, glucagon) regulating blood sugar.
    • Large Intestine: Absorbs water and electrolytes from remaining digested material; compacts chyme into feces and stores it until elimination.

    Digestive Processes of Organic Molecules

    Carbohydrates

    • Digestion: Salivary amylase begins starch breakdown in the mouth, pancreatic amylase continues in the small intestine; maltase, sucrase, and lactase further break disaccharides into monosaccharides.
    • Absorption: Monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose) absorbed in the small intestine via active transport (glucose, galactose) or facilitated diffusion (fructose).

    Proteins

    • Digestion: Pepsin in the stomach breaks down proteins; pancreatic proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin) and carboxypeptidase further break proteins into smaller peptides. Aminopeptidases break peptides down into amino acids.
    • Absorption: Amino acids and small peptides absorbed in the small intestine via active transport.

    Lipids

    • Digestion: Lingual lipase (mouth), gastric lipase (stomach) begin triglyceride breakdown; pancreatic lipase (small intestine) breaks down triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids. Bile emulsifies fats, increasing surface area for lipase activity.
    • Absorption: Monoglycerides and fatty acids form micelles (bile salt coated particles) for transport across intestinal membrane and enter enterocytes; Inside cells, they are re-esterified to triglycerides, packaged into chylomicrons, and released into lymphatic system and then into blood.

    Nucleic Acids

    • Digestion: Pancreatic nucleases (DNAse, RNAse) break down DNA and RNA into nucleotides; nucleotidases break down nucleotides.
    • Absorption: Nucleotides absorbed into the small intestine and taken into bloodstream.

    Summary of Enzymes and Hormones

    • Specific enzymes are crucial for breaking down each type of organic molecule in the digestive process.
    • Hormones like gastrin regulate digestive secretions.
    • Absorption occurs primarily in the small intestine.

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    Description

    Explore the essential processes of the digestive system, from ingestion to excretion. This quiz covers the functions of various organs and the methods by which food is broken down and absorbed in the body. Test your understanding of how the digestive tract works and the significance of each stage.

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