Chapter Six Flashcards
The digestive system supplies nutrients for the body
Digestion
The process of breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and fat molecules into products small enough to be absorbed into the blood and cells
Mechanical digestion
- The physical breakdown of food particles into smaller pieces to increase surface area
- Increased SA allows for more effective chemical digestion
Chemical digestion
The break down of large complex molecules into smaller more simple molecules, small enough to be absorbed into the blood stream
Alimentary canal
- The continuous tube that runs from the mouth to the anus, together with associated organs make up the digestive system
- The lining of the alimentary canal is where nutrients is absorbed
The mouth
- Mastication
- Bolus is formed
- Swallowing
- Enzyme action
Common name for mastication
Chewing
Bolus
A ball of saliva and food
Salivary glands
- Assists in the creation of the bolus (lubrication)
- Produces enzymes for chemical digestion of carbohydrates
Teeth
- Mechanical digestion
- 4 incisors
- 2 canines
- 4 premolars
- 6 molars
Incisors
Used for biting and cutting
Canines
Used for tearing
Premolars
Used for crushing and grinding
Molars
Used for crushing and grinding
Oesophagus
- Circular and longitudinal muscles
- Peristalsis pushes bolus down the oesophagus into the stomach
Peristalsis
Wave like muscle contractions
Stomach
- Muscular churning (mechanical digestion) to mix food with gastric juice and form chyme
- Circular, longitudinal and oblique muscles to cause these contractions
- Has a protective mucous lining to protect against HCl
Gastric juices
- Released by the gastric glands in the wall of the stomach
- Contains HCl, mucous and enzymes
- Enzymes start chemical digestion
Chyme
Pulpy acidic fluid which passes from the stomach to the small intestine containing gastric juices and partly digested food
Pyloric sphincter
- A circular muscle that prevents food from continuously entering the small intestine
- Every 2-8 hours it opens and allows chyme to be pushed into the duodenum
Absorption in the stomach
- Due to the thick layer of mucus, nutrients are not absorbed in the stomach
- Limited absorption of water, alcohol, glucose and some drugs
Small intestine
- Duodenum : first part of small intestine
- Jejunum : the middle section of the small intestine
- Illeum : the final part of the small intestine
Mechanical digestion in the small intestine
Bile from the liver and gall bladder emulsify fats
Chemical digestion in the small intestine
- Intestinal juice from the lining of the duodenum
- Pancreatic juice from the pancreas
Absorption in the small intestine
- After the nutrients is fully chemically digested it is absorbed through the wall of the SI into the capillaries
- Small intestine is big to increase surface area
- Folded into villi and microvilli to further increase SA