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Biology Section 3 > Digestive System > Flashcards

Digestive System Flashcards

(72 cards)

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1
Q

What does autotrophic mean?

A

Makes own food

Autotrophic organisms produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

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2
Q

What is photosynthesis?

A

Uses light energy

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

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3
Q

What is chemosynthesis?

A

Uses chemical energy

Chemosynthesis is the process by which certain organisms convert carbon molecules and nutrients into organic matter using the oxidation of inorganic molecules.

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4
Q

What is heterotrophic nutrition?

A

Takes in food

Heterotrophic organisms cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other organisms.

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5
Q

What are the stages in nutrition?

A

Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Egestion

These stages outline the process food undergoes from intake to elimination.

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6
Q

What is digestion?

A

Food is broken down

Digestion involves both mechanical and chemical processes to break down food into nutrients.

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7
Q

What is egestion?

A

Unabsorbed material is removed

Egestion is the elimination of undigested food and waste from the body.

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8
Q

What does ingestion refer to?

A

Food is taken into the digestive system

Ingestion is the first step in the digestive process.

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9
Q

What is the role of mechanical digestion?

A

Crushing and grinding of food

Mechanical digestion increases the surface area of food, making it easier for enzymes to break it down.

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10
Q

What is the process of chemical digestion?

A

Food is broken down by acid and enzymes

Chemical digestion involves the use of digestive juices to break down food into simpler substances.

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11
Q

What is absorption in the context of nutrition?

A

Digested food is taken into the bloodstream

Absorption mainly occurs in the small intestine and some in the colon.

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12
Q

What is the alimentary canal?

A

A long tube that goes through the body, starting at the mouth and ending at the anus

The alimentary canal is part of the digestive system and is responsible for processing food.

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13
Q

Define herbivore.

A

Eats plants

Herbivores are animals that primarily consume plant-based foods.

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14
Q

Provide an example of a herbivore.

A

Rabbit

Rabbits are classic examples of herbivorous animals.

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15
Q

Define carnivore.

A

Eats animals

Carnivores are organisms that primarily consume meat.

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16
Q

Provide an example of a carnivore.

A

Fox

Foxes are examples of carnivorous animals that primarily hunt and eat other animals.

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17
Q

Define omnivore.

A

Eats plants and animals

Omnivores have a diverse diet that includes both plant and animal sources.

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18
Q

Provide an example of an omnivore.

A

Badger

Badgers are examples of omnivorous animals that consume a varied diet.

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19
Q

Fill in the blank: Most water is absorbed in the _______.

A

Colon

The colon plays a crucial role in reabsorbing water from indigestible food matter.

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20
Q
A
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21
Q

What is the function of incisors?

A

Cut and slice food

Incisors are the front teeth used for cutting food.

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22
Q

What do canines do?

A

Grip and tear food

Canines are pointed teeth located next to incisors.

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23
Q

What is peristalsis?

A

The rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the wall of the alimentary canal that moves food down the canal

Fibre stimulates peristalsis.

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24
Q

What is the role of saliva?

A

Contains lysozyme that kills microorganisms

Saliva also helps in the initial chemical breakdown of food.

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25
What occurs during the mechanical breakdown of food?
Teeth grind and crush food ## Footnote This process includes actions by incisors, canines, pre-molars, and molars.
26
What is the function of the sphincter between the oesophagus and the stomach?
Stops movement of food ## Footnote A sphincter is a collection of muscle fibres that encircle a tube.
27
What type of environment does the stomach have?
Alkaline environment ## Footnote This environment is necessary for digestive processes.
28
What is the dental formula for teeth?
1?/2 C'/1 P²/ M³ ## Footnote This formula represents the types and numbers of teeth in a human mouth.
29
Which enzyme digests starch to maltose?
Amylase ## Footnote This enzyme is present in saliva and initiates carbohydrate digestion.
30
What is the oesophagus?
A muscular pipe that moves food to the stomach ## Footnote It is part of the alimentary canal.
31
Fill in the blank: The _______ stimulates peristalsis.
Fibre
32
What is the primary function of the liver?
The liver is a metabolic sorting station that detoxifies and maintains homeostasis. ## Footnote The liver processes nutrients, chemicals, toxins, and drugs that we ingest.
33
What does the hepatic vein transport?
Nutrients and urea from the liver to the heart. ## Footnote This transport is essential for further processing and elimination of waste.
34
What role does the aorta play in the circulatory system?
Transports nutrients and urea away from the heart. ## Footnote The aorta is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
35
What substance is transported to the kidneys?
Urea. ## Footnote Urea is a waste product formed from the deamination of amino acids.
36
What is formed in the liver?
Cholesterol. ## Footnote Cholesterol is crucial for cell membrane structure and hormone synthesis.
37
What is deamination?
The breakdown of amino acids with the production of urea. ## Footnote This process is essential for removing excess nitrogen from the body.
38
What is the main function of the duodenum?
Main location for digestion. ## Footnote It also makes fibrinogen and receives bile from the gall bladder.
39
What type of environment does the duodenum have?
Alkaline environment. ## Footnote This helps in neutralizing stomach acids and optimizing enzyme activity.
40
What are villi?
Finger-like outgrowths in the ileum that increase surface area for absorption. ## Footnote Each villus is covered in microvilli, further enhancing absorption.
41
What is absorbed by the ileum?
Food broken down into basic building blocks, glucose, and amino acids. ## Footnote The walls of the small intestine are one cell thick to aid absorption.
42
What is the role of lacteals in the ileum?
Drain digested fats into the lymphatic system. ## Footnote They transport fatty acids and glycerol, returning them to the bloodstream.
43
What does the colon reabsorb?
Water from waste, forming faeces. ## Footnote Insufficient time for reabsorption can lead to diarrhea.
44
What is the result of insufficient water reabsorption in the colon?
Diarrhea. ## Footnote The opposite condition, constipation, results in hard stools.
45
What function do symbiotic bacteria in the colon serve?
Make vitamin K and digest cellulose. ## Footnote They also prevent harmful microorganisms from growing.
46
What is the caecum?
A part of the colon that contains the appendix. ## Footnote The appendix is considered a vestigial organ.
47
What is appendicitis?
Inflammation of the appendix due to lodged food or faeces. ## Footnote Symptoms include pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
48
What is the function of the rectum?
Stores faeces. ## Footnote It plays a crucial role in the final stages of digestion.
49
Components of a balanced diet include _______.
[Carbohydrates] ## Footnote A balanced diet also typically includes proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
50
51
What are the main categories of nutrients?
Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, Water, Fibre ## Footnote Each category plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health.
52
What is the role of Fibre in the diet?
Stimulates peristalsis, soaks up toxic chemicals and cholesterol, may prevent obesity ## Footnote Fibre helps in digestive health and weight management.
53
What factors determine the amount of food a person requires?
Age, activity, gender, health ## Footnote These factors influence nutritional needs and caloric intake.
54
How is BMI calculated?
BMI = body weight in kg / (height in m)² ## Footnote BMI is a common measure to assess body weight relative to height.
55
What BMI values indicate being overweight and obese?
Overweight: BMI above 25; Obese: BMI over 30 ## Footnote These classifications are associated with various health risks.
56
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
An eating disorder characterized by persistent restriction of energy intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image ## Footnote It can lead to serious health consequences such as cardiac problems and electrolyte imbalances.
57
What are the symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa?
Low body weight, fear of gaining weight, disturbance in body image, undue influence of body shape on self-evaluation ## Footnote Symptoms can severely impact physical and mental health.
58
How is Anorexia Nervosa treated?
Psychiatric input: counselling and medication; medical input for physical problems ## Footnote Treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach.
59
What is Bulimia?
An eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain ## Footnote Binge episodes are often accompanied by feelings of lack of control.
60
What are the four food groups?
* Cereals, breads, potatoes (6+ servings per day) * Fruit and vegetables (4+) * Milk, cheese and yoghurt (4) * Meat, fish and poultry (2) ## Footnote These groups represent a balanced dietary intake.
61
What is the role of Amylase?
Breaks down starch to maltose; produced in salivary glands and pancreas; acts in mouth and duodenum ## Footnote Amylase is crucial for carbohydrate digestion.
62
What is the optimal pH range for Amylase activity?
pH 7-9 ## Footnote This pH range is necessary for effective enzymatic activity.
63
64
What is Pepsin?
An enzyme that breaks down protein to peptides and amino acids ## Footnote Pepsin is active in the stomach at a pH of 2.
65
What is Lipase?
An enzyme that breaks down lipids to fatty acids and glycerol ## Footnote Lipase is produced in the pancreas and acts in the duodenum at a pH of 7-9.
66
Where is Pepsinogen produced?
By the stomach lining
67
How is Pepsinogen activated?
By acid into its active form
68
In which part of the digestive system does Pepsin act?
In the stomach
69
What is the optimal pH for Pepsin activity?
pH 2
70
Where is Lipase produced?
In the pancreas
71
In which part of the digestive system does Lipase act?
In the duodenum
72
What is the optimal pH for Lipase activity?
pH 7-9

Biology Section 3 (13 decks)

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