Digestive system Flashcards
What are nutrients broken down for?
energy, growth, and repair.
What are the functions of the digestive system?
1.INGEST FOOD.
2.BREAKDOWNFOODINTONUTRIENT MOLECULES.
- ABSORB MOLECULES INTOBLOODSTREAM .
4.RIDTHE BODYOF INDIGESTIBLEREMAINS.
What are enzymes and what is their function?
Enzymes are biological catalysts that facilitate the chemical breakdown of complex
molecules into simpler ones, a process known as catabolism. They speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy needed, which is crucial for digestion and metabolism.
How do enzymes work?
Each enzyme is specific to its substrate, ensuring efficient and
controlled reactions. By aiding in these breakdown processes, enzymes help the body extract and utilize nutrients for energy and essential functions.
What other function do enzymes serve?
Synthesis reactions. In synthesis reactions, enzymes help build complex molecules from
simpler ones, a process critical for growth, repair, and maintaining cellular functions. Important to make new molecules.
Function of mouth:
turns food into smaller pieces with the help of saliva and teeth.
Function of Trachea:
connects mouth to stomach.
Function of stomach:
churns food and mixes it with grastic juice.
Function of small intestine:
digests nutrients and absorbs fats, carbohydrates, proteins.
Function of large intestine:
absorbs mostly water and salts, leaving a substance called stool.
Function of rectum:
temporarily stores stool.
Function of anus:
where stool leaves the body.
Digestion in small intestine:
Most nutrient absorption happens here, particularly in the middle (jejunum) and end sections (ileum). This is where nutrients from digested food enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system to be distributed throughout the body.
Digestion in large intestineL
Mainly absorbs water, some minerals, and vitamins produced by gut bacteria. This helps solidify waste and keeps the body hydrated.
Digestion in villi:
- THEWALLSOF THE SMALL INTESTINE ARE LINEDWITHVILLI
SMALL, FINGER-LIKE PROJECTIONS COVEREDWITH MICROVILLI.
-These structures increase the
surface area for absorption,
allowing more nutrients to be
absorbed efficiently.
Carbohydrate absorbtion:
Carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars (like glucose) by enzymes in the small intestine.
Absorption: These sugars are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and go straight into the bloodstream to provide energy.
Protein absorption:
Proteins are broken down into amino acids by stomach enzymes and further enzymes in the small intestine.
Absorption: Amino acids are absorbed through the small intestine and enter the bloodstream, where they are used for growth, repair, and building body proteins.
Fat absorption:
Fats are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol by bile (from the liver) and enzymes in the small intestine.
Absorption: Fatty acids and glycerol are absorbed into tiny lymph vessels in the small intestine (called lacteals) and eventually enter the bloodstream.
Vitamin absorption:
Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, K): These are absorbed along with fats. Water-Soluble Vitamins and Minerals: These go directly into the bloodstream through the small intestine.
What is the location of absorbed nutrients?
- Absorbed nutrients either enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. The blood carries these nutrients to the liver, which processes and distributes them throughout the body for use.
Fat digestion in detail:
A bit in the small stomach, then in the small intestine: gets broken by bile from the liver and then by lipase which turn it into amino acids then enter the bloodstream.
Protein digestion in detail:
Stomach: Protein digestion starts with an enzyme called pepsin that breaks proteins into smaller pieces.
Small Intestine: More enzymes(like trypsin)
break proteins down further into amino acids. These amino acids are absorbed and
go into the blood stream to be used by the body.
What is a biome?
A biome is a distinct ecosystem characterized by its environment and its
inhabitants.
What is your gut?
Your gut — inside your intestines — is a miniature biome, populated by trillions of microscopic organisms. These microorganisms include over a thousand species of bacteria, as well as viruses, fungi and parasites.