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Questions and Answers
What blood vessel carries blood from the small intestine to the liver?
What blood vessel carries blood from the small intestine to the liver?
Hepatic portal vein
What is the main function of the lymphatic system in relation to the assimilation of digested food?
What is the main function of the lymphatic system in relation to the assimilation of digested food?
Transporting lipids (fats) absorbed from the small intestine to the bloodstream.
Describe one function of the liver in the metabolism of digested food.
Describe one function of the liver in the metabolism of digested food.
The liver converts excess glucose to glycogen for storage.
How does the liver contribute to detoxification in the body?
How does the liver contribute to detoxification in the body?
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What is the main function of the large intestine?
What is the main function of the large intestine?
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Name two substances absorbed by the large intestine.
Name two substances absorbed by the large intestine.
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What is the function of the mucus secreted by the walls of the large intestine?
What is the function of the mucus secreted by the walls of the large intestine?
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What triggers the need to defecate?
What triggers the need to defecate?
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What are the two main types of digestion in the digestive system, and briefly describe each?
What are the two main types of digestion in the digestive system, and briefly describe each?
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Describe the role of salivary amylase in the digestive process. What kind of molecule does it break down, and where in the digestive system does this occur?
Describe the role of salivary amylase in the digestive process. What kind of molecule does it break down, and where in the digestive system does this occur?
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What is the role of the ileum in the digestive system, and how does its structure contribute to this function?
What is the role of the ileum in the digestive system, and how does its structure contribute to this function?
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Explain how the structure of the villi enhances the absorption of digested food in the ileum.
Explain how the structure of the villi enhances the absorption of digested food in the ileum.
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What is the difference between physical and chemical digestion? Provide an example of each.
What is the difference between physical and chemical digestion? Provide an example of each.
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Why is the pH of saliva important for the function of salivary amylase?
Why is the pH of saliva important for the function of salivary amylase?
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What is the function of the lacteal in the villi, and what type of digested food does it transport?
What is the function of the lacteal in the villi, and what type of digested food does it transport?
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How does the alimentary canal contribute to the digestive process?
How does the alimentary canal contribute to the digestive process?
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What role does water intake play in maintaining bowel health?
What role does water intake play in maintaining bowel health?
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Identify two health problems associated with poor eating habits.
Identify two health problems associated with poor eating habits.
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How does gastritis occur, and what can be a consequence if left untreated?
How does gastritis occur, and what can be a consequence if left untreated?
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What behaviors are characteristic of someone suffering from bulimia nervosa?
What behaviors are characteristic of someone suffering from bulimia nervosa?
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What is muscle dysmorphia and what extreme measures do individuals take to address their concerns?
What is muscle dysmorphia and what extreme measures do individuals take to address their concerns?
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What is the primary process by which faeces are expelled from the body?
What is the primary process by which faeces are expelled from the body?
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Define a balanced diet and name the seven food classes it includes.
Define a balanced diet and name the seven food classes it includes.
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How is the energy value of food measured?
How is the energy value of food measured?
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What is one calorie equivalent to in joules?
What is one calorie equivalent to in joules?
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What role does fibre play in the defaecation process?
What role does fibre play in the defaecation process?
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What are some common short-term side effects of gastric bypass surgery?
What are some common short-term side effects of gastric bypass surgery?
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How can excessive body weight or obesity be managed effectively?
How can excessive body weight or obesity be managed effectively?
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Name two long-term side effects of gastric bypass surgery.
Name two long-term side effects of gastric bypass surgery.
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Study Notes
Digestive System
- The human digestive system is a long, muscular tube (alimentary canal) starting at the mouth and ending at the anus.
- Parts include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.
- Other organs like the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are also part of the system.
- Salivary, gastric, and intestinal glands secrete digestive juices into the alimentary canal.
Digestion
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Digestion breaks down large, complex food pieces into smaller, absorbable pieces.
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It has two components: physical and chemical digestion.
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Physical digestion involves mechanical breakdown of food, like chewing and peristalsis (muscle contractions).
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Chemical digestion breaks down complex molecules into simpler ones using enzymes.
Carbohydrate Digestion (in the Mouth)
- The digestive process begins in the mouth.
- Food presence in the mouth stimulates salivary glands to release saliva.
- Saliva contains salivary amylase, which hydrolyzes starch into maltose.
- The optimal pH for salivary amylase is 6.5-7.5.
- Saliva also forms bolus, making swallowing easier.
- The epiglottis closes the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway.
Protein Digestion (in the Stomach)
- The stomach wall has epithelial cells (gastric glands) consisting of chief cells, parietal cells, and mucous cells.
- Chief cells secrete pepsinogen, which is activated by hydrochloric acid (from parietal cells) to become pepsin.
- Pepsin hydrolyzes proteins into polypeptides.
- Mucous cells secrete mucus to protect the stomach lining from HCl's acidic effects.
Digestion in the Small Intestine
- The small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) receives chyme from the stomach.
- Duodenum also receives bile from the liver and pancreatic juices.
- Pancreatic amylase hydrolyzes starch to maltose.
- Trypsin hydrolyzes polypeptides into shorter peptides.
- Lipase hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.
- Bile emulsifies lipids, increasing the surface area for lipase action.
Absorption in the Small Intestine
- The ileum's villi and microvilli increase the surface area for nutrient absorption.
- The epithelial layer is one cell thick to enhance absorption rate.
- Goblet cells secrete mucus to aid in digestion and protect the lining.
- Blood capillaries absorb amino acids, glucose, and water.
- Lacteals absorb fatty acids and glycerol.
- Enzymes in the intestinal juice (like maltase, sucrase, lactase) further digest carbohydrates.
Assimilation and Liver Function
- The liver controls the amount of nutrients entering the bloodstream.
- Metabolises glucose for cellular respiration; amino acids for protein synthesis; excess amino acids to urea for excretion.
- The liver detoxifies substances from the blood.
- Stores glycogen from excess glucose.
Defaecation and Large Intestine Functions
- The large intestine absorbs water and minerals.
- Beneficial bacteria synthesize vitamins (B and K).
- The remaining waste (faeces) forms as undigested materials.
- Peristaltic movement in the large intestine pushes the faeces toward the rectum and then out through the anus (defaecation).
- Fibre stimulates peristalsis and helps regulate glucose absorption (especially useful for diabetics).
Balanced Diet
- A balanced diet comprises all food classes (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and water).
- Proportions and quantities should meet individual needs for optimal health.
- Energy value of food is the total energy released when a gram is completely oxidized.
- Food energy value is measured in kilojoules per gram (kJ/g).
- Other units include calories.
- One calorie = 4.2 joules, and is equal to the amount of energy needed to raise water temperature of 1 g by 1°C.
Health Issues
- Obesity: Excess fat storage due to imbalanced energy intake and energy expenditure.
- Gastritis: Stomach lining inflammation from factors like irregular food intake, alcohol or painkillers.
- Anorexia nervosa: Obsessive fear of gaining weight, leading to food avoidance and potential health problems.
- Bulimia nervosa: Cycles of binge eating and compensatory behaviours (vomiting or laxative use) to control weight.
- Muscle dysmorphia: Obsessive desire to gain muscle mass through extreme exercise.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the human digestive system, including its parts and functions. This quiz will cover aspects of digestion, including both physical and chemical processes, along with specifics about carbohydrate digestion in the mouth. Challenge yourself and learn more about how our body processes food!