Animal Organisation - Digestion Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the digestive system?
The body system that breaks down food so it can be absorbed and used by the body.
What are the main organs of the digestive system?
Mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, and pancreas.
What is the function of the mouth in digestion?
To chew food and mix it with saliva to start breaking it down.
What is the oesophagus?
The tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
What happens to food in the stomach?
It is mixed with acid and enzymes to break it down further.
What is the function of the small intestine?
To complete digestion and absorb nutrients into the blood.
What is the function of the large intestine?
To absorb water and form waste material (faeces).
What does the liver produce to help digestion?
Bile, which helps break down fats.
What does the pancreas produce?
Enzymes that help break down food.
Why do we need to digest food?
To break large food molecules into small ones that can be absorbed into the blood.
What are nutrients?
Useful substances from food that the body needs to stay healthy.
What happens to nutrients after they are absorbed?
They are carried in the blood to cells around the body.
What is mechanical digestion?
Physical breakdown of food, like chewing with teeth.
What is chemical digestion?
Breaking down food using enzymes and acids.
What are enzymes?
Special proteins that speed up the breakdown of food.
What do carbohydrase enzymes break down?
Carbohydrates into simple sugars.
What do protease enzymes break down?
Proteins into amino acids.
What do lipase enzymes break down?
Fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
Why is a balanced diet important for digestion?
It provides all the nutrients the body needs and keeps the digestive system healthy.
What problems can poor diet cause?
Obesity, tooth decay, heart disease, and digestive problems.
What is fibre and why is it important?
Indigestible plant material that helps food move through the intestines.
How long does food take to pass through the digestive system?
About 24-48 hours from eating to waste removal.
What happens to undigested food?
It forms waste that is removed from the body as faeces.
How does the digestive system work with the circulatory system?
Nutrients are absorbed into the blood and carried to cells around the body.
