Chapter 4-Digestive System Flashcards
Mechanical Digestion
digestion that uses physical factors such as chewing with the teeth
Chemical Digestion
the chemical reactions changing food into simpler substances that are absorbed into the bloodstream for use in other parts of the body
Digestive System
a complex series of organs and glands that processes food to supply the body with the nutrients it needs to function effectively
Mouth
An opening where food is broken down and where mechanical and chemical digestion takes place.
Stomach
a large muscular organ that churns and mixes food with gastric juice to start to break down protein
Digestion
breakdown of food into a form that can be used by an animal. It includes both mechanical digestion and chemical digestion.
Alimentary Canal
passage from the mouth to the anus. Digestion of food occurs as it moves through the canal.
Enzymes
special chemicals that speed up reactions but are themselves not used up in the reaction
Saliva
watery substance in the mouth that moistens food before swallowing
Salivary Glands
glands in the mouth that produce saliva
Bolus
round, chewed-up ball of food made in the mouth that makes swallowing easier
Oesophagus
part of the digestive system composed of a tube connecting the mouth with the stomach
Peristalsis
the process of pushing food along the oesophagus or small intestine by the action of muscles
Stomach
a large muscular organ that churns and mixes food with gastric juice to start to break down protein
Small intestine
the part of the digestive system between the stomach and large intestine, where much of the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients takes place
Absorption
the taking in of a substance, for example from the intestine to the surrounding capillaries
Villi
for absorption in the small intestine as they have a thin wall, one cell thick, which enables a shorter diffusion path. They have a large surface area so there will be more efficient absorption of fatty acids and glycerol into the blood stream.
Nutrients
substances that provide energy and chemicals that living things need to stay alive, grow and reproduce
Liver (Digestive System)
Produces bile
Bile
a substance produced by the liver that helps digest fats and oils. Helps in mechanical digestion
Gall Bladder
a small organ that stores and concentrates bile within the body
Bile Ducts
Transports Bile from liver to gall bladder
Lipids
type of nutrients that include fats and oils
Lipases
enzymes that break fats and oils down into fatty acids and glycerol