Chapter 24: The Digestive System Flashcards
(124 cards)
What are the functions of the digestive system?
- ingestion
- mechanical processing
- digestion
- secretion
- absorption
- excretion
Digestive System Function: Ingestion
- materials enter the digestive tract via the mouth (oral cavity
- the process of swallowing is called delutition
Digestive System Function: Mechanical Processing
- crushing and shearing the ingested material to make it easier to propel along the digestive tract
- processes of chewing is called mastication
- increases the surface area allowing for enzymatic attack and subsequent breakdown of the material
Digestive System Function: Digestion
- refers to the chemical breakdown of food into small organic fragments allowing for absorption by the digestive epithelium
- proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids must all be broken down to their monomers (building blocks) before it can be absorbed (done by digestive enzymes)
Digestive System Function: Secretion
- release of water, acids, enzymes, buffers, salts by the epithelium of the digestive tract and by glandular organs
Digestive System Function: Absorption
- movement of organic monomers, electrolytes, vitamins and water across the epithelium and into the interstitial fluid of the digestive tract
Digestive System Function: Excretion
- removal of waste products from body fluids
- ejection of material as feces from the digestive tract is called defection or egestion
The Digestive System is divided into 2 main groups:
- Digestive Tract Organs
2. Accessory Digestive Organs
Digestive Tract Organs
- make up the Alimentary Canal (Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract)
- digestion and absorption
Accessory Digestive Organs
assist in the process of digestion and absorption
List the Digest Tract Organs
- Mouth (Oral Cavity)
- Pharynx
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
- Rectum
- Anus
List the Accessory Digestive Organs
- Salivary Glands
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
Salivary Glands
secrete salivary amylase that begins carbohydrate digestion/breakdown
Liver
a large metabolic organ that lies under the diaphragm and is made of 100,000 lobules
Gallbladder
stores bile from liver and sends it to small intestine
Functions of the Pancreas
- Exocrine produces pancreatic juice:
- Endocrine gland produces hormones that are released into the bloodstream after eating:
- insulin and glucagon
Mouth (oral cavity)
- has 3 pairs of salivary glands
- stratified squamous epithelial tissue
- has tonsils at the back of the mouth and other lymphatic tissues important in fighting disease
- has teeth that begin mechanical breakdown of food (mastication)
- has tongue that tastes and pushes food for chewing and swallowing
Pharynx
common passageway for solid foods, liquid and air
-material that is swallowed and enters the pharynx is now referred to as a bolus (mass of masticated material)
Esophagus
- hollow muscular tube where peristalsis pushes food to stomach
- length is approximately 1 foot
- first third is skeletal muscle
Stomach: Function
- stores food, starts digestion of proteins
- produces gastric juice that contains pepsin (an enzyme that breaks down protein)
- mechanical breakdown of the bolus liquefying it into a semi-liquid/solid paste called Chyme
Small Intestine: Main functions
- mixes chyme with digestive enzymes for final breakdown
- absorbs nutrient molecules into body
- secretes digestive hormones into blood
Large Intestine
also known as the large bowl ~5 feet
larger in diameter but shorter than the small intestines
Rectum
Stores and regulates elimination of feces
Pathway of Food
Mouth -> Pharynx -> Esophagus -> Stomach -> Small Intestines -> Large Intestines -> Rectum -> Anus