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Digestive system Flashcards

1
Q

nutrients

A

substances the body needs for
growth, maintenance, and
repair; carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, vitamins,
minerals, and water

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2
Q

digestion

A

the process of breaking food

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3
Q

alimentary canal

A

a long tube, open at both
ends, through which food
passes as it is digested

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4
Q

GI tract

A

another term for the
alimentary canal

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5
Q

Accessory organs

A

organs that assist in the process of digestion, but food does not pass through them

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6
Q

ingestion

A

the voluntary process of
taking food or drink into the
body through the mouth

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7
Q

propulsion

A

the forceful movement of food
from one organ to the next

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8
Q

peristalsis

A

alternating waves of contraction and relaxation that push food along the GI
tract

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9
Q

mechanical
digestion

A

the physical breakdown of
food into smaller particles

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10
Q

segmentation

A

moves food back and forth to
mix it in the small and large
intestines

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11
Q

chemical
digestion

A

food molecules are broken
down into their building
blocks by their enzymes

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12
Q

enzymes

A

proteins that speed up
chemical reactions in the body

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13
Q

absorption

A

the process of food nutrients
moving from the small
intestine into the bloodstream

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14
Q

defecation

A

elimination of solid waste from the body

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15
Q

feces

A

solid waste; a combination of undigested and/or
unabsorbed food, water,
bacteria, etc.

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16
Q

mechanoreceptors

A

control digestive activity by
detecting stretching of organ
walls

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17
Q

chemoreceptors

A

control digestive activity by
detect factors such as solute
concentration, pH, and the
presence of substrates and
end products

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18
Q

oral cavity

A

the mouth; site of mechanical

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19
Q

teeth

A

responsible for mechanical
digestion in the mouth; tear
food apart during chewing

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20
Q

Mastication

A

another term for chewing

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21
Q

tongue

A

moves food around the mouth
to mix it with saliva and push
it between the teeth

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22
Q

salivary amylase

A

the enzyme in saliva which
begins the chemical digestion
of carbohydrates

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23
Q

salivary glands

A

Three pairs of glands produce saliva; parietal, submandibular, and
sublingual

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24
Q

saliva

A

mixture of water, salivary amylase, mucus, and
antibacterial substances;
produced by salivary glands

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25
deglutition
swallowing; a coordinated activity that pushes the food bolus to the back of the mouth
26
Bolus
ball of partially digested food that is swallowed
27
pharynx
the area behind the nose and mouth that is a common passageway for food, air and liquids.
28
esophagus
tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach which conducts the food bolus by peristalsis
29
stomach
J-shaped muscular organ that secretes enzymes that digest protein; three layers of muscle contribute to mechanical digestion
30
cardioesophageal sphincter
or cardiac sphincter; a ring of muscle that controls the entrance of food from the esophagus into the stomach
31
pyloric sphincter
ring of muscle that controls the entrance of food from the stomach into the duodenum
32
gastric pits
small pores in the stomach lining that secrete gastric juice
33
intrinsic factor
substance that allows vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the small intestine; secreted by parietal cells
34
HCl
activates pepsinogen and transforms in into pepsin; secreted by parietal cells
35
Gastrin
hormone that is released when stimulated by the presence of food and a lower pH; triggers increased secretion of gastric juice
36
Chyme
thick, semi-liquid form of food that leaves the stomach
37
Small intestine
the body's major digestive organ; all nutrient digestion is completed here and almost all absorption occurs here
38
mesentery
broad, fan-shaped fold of tissue that anchors the small intestine and carries blood vessels, nerve and lymphatic vessels throughout
39
plicae circularis
deep circular folds of the
40
villi
fingerlike projections of the intestinal lining
41
microvilli
tiny projections of the plasma membrane of epithelial cells on the surface of villi
42
duodenum
the first portion of the small intestine where chemical digestion is completed
43
intestinal juice
composed mostly of water and an alkaline mucus to neutralize chyme; secreted by glands at the base of the villi
44
Brush border
enzymes bound to the surface of microvilli that complete the final states of carbohydrate and protein digestion
45
Liver
produces bile; the largest internal organ
46
Bile
slightly alkaline substance that emulsifies fats; produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
47
Gallbladder
stores bile until it is released into the duodenum through the bile duct
48
emulsification
the process of breaking large fat droplets into smaller ones to increase surface area for digestion
49
pancreas
organ that produced powerful enzymes to break down all three nutrients; sits behind the stomach
50
pancreatic juice
substance which contains enzymes to break down all three nutrients and bicarbonate; released into the duodenum
51
proteases
pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidase) that complete the digestion of proteins in the duodenum
52
pancreatic amylase
works with brush border enzymes to complete the digestion of carbohydrates in the duodenum
53
lipases
fat-digesting enzymes that are assisted by the emulsification
54
lacteals
lymphatic vessels in the villi that absorb fats
55
large intestine
organ of the GI tract that does not produce enzymes, but absorbs water and produces solid waste; surrounds the small intestine on three sides
56
ileocecal valve
controls the entrance of into the large intestine; prevents food from re-entering the small intestine
57
Cecum
a pouch just below the ileocecal valve from which the appendix hangs
58
appendix
fingerlike projection suspended from the cecum that may play an important role in the immune system
59
sigmoid colon
s-shaped region of the colon that stores feces; located between the descending colon and the rectum
60
rectum
final storage area for feces where water is absorbed and mucus is secreted
61
anus
the opening of the anal canal
62
goblet cells
cells that secrete mucus in the large intestine to aid in defecation
63
Bowel movements
long, slow-moving contractions of the colon that push contents of the colon towards the rectum
64
GERD
when stomach acids frequently back up into the esophagus causing a burning sensation; aka gastroesophageal reflux disease
65
stomach ulcers
a hole or damaged area in the lining of the stomach usually caused by bacteria; aka gastric or peptic ulcers
66
gallstones
hard deposits of cholesterol that cause pain when moving through the bile duct
67
hepatitis
liver inflammation caused by a virus; most deadly infectious disease in the US
68
pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas caused by early activation of digestive enzymes
69
inflammatory bowel disease
chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, especially the large intestine (includes Crohn's and colitis)
70
appendicitis
inflammation of the appendix that causes severe pain in the lower, right abdomen; usually surgically removed
71
cystic fibrosis
an inherited disease that causes thick mucus to form in the pancreas (and other organs) leading to digestive problems
72
hemorrhoids
swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus causing pain, itching and bleeding
73
vomiting
forceful expulsion of stomach contents usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection
74
diarrhea
frequent discharge of watery feces usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection
75
cleft lip & palate
common birth defect that occurs when the lip and/or palate fails to close completely during development resulting in a split or cleft; corrected with surgery
76
PKU
rare genetic disorder that causes a build-up of the amino acid phenylalanine, which may lead to brain damage if untreated; aka phenylketonuria
77
rooting reflex
infant feeding reflex that causes the baby's head to turn towards anything that touches the cheek or mouth
78
sucking reflex
infant feeding reflex triggered by anything that touches the roof of the mouth
79
colorectal cancer
cancer of the large intestine, one of the most common types of cancer
80
Functions of the digestive system
Ingestion Digestion Absorption Extraction
81
Vitamins
boost the immune system, support normal growth and development, and help cells and organs do their jobs.
82
Fats
helps give your body energy, protects your organs, supports cell growth, keeps cholesterol and blood pressure under control, and helps your body absorb vital nutrient
83
Proteins
build and repair muscles and bones and to make hormones and enzymes.

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