Digestive System

Question 1

What is the digestive system?

Answer 1

This is a series of organs that break down the food so it can be absorbed into our blood and travel around to where it is needed.

Question 2

What are the different organs that make up the digestive system?

Answer 2

The mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, rectum and anus.

Question 3

What is the function of the mouth?

Answer 3

To mechanically break down food into smaller pieces.

Question 4

What helps the mouth to break down food?

Answer 4

Saliva

Question 5

What enzyme helps break down foods in your salivary glands?

Answer 5

Amylase

Question 6

What specifically does amylase break down?

Answer 6

They break down starch into smaller sugars- this process is crucial in the digestion of carbohydrates.

Question 7

What is an enzyme?

Answer 7

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions.

Question 8

What are enzymes made of?

Answer 8

Protein

Question 9

How can you tell if a food contains starch?

Answer 9

If you add iodine drops to a food and it turns orange, it doesn’t contain starch however if it turns blue/black it does.

Question 10

What are the 5 main food groups?

Answer 10

Fruits/ vegetables, carbohydrates, dairy, fats/oils and proteins.

Question 11

What is the difference between a nutrient and a food group?

Answer 11

A food group is a broad category of food whereas a nutrient is a specific substance in a food.

Question 12

What are the 7 main nutrients?

Answer 12

Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, water and fibre.

Question 13

How do carbohydrates benefit the body?

Answer 13

It provides energy for movement.

Question 14

What is an example of a carbohydrate?

Answer 14

Pasta, bread and potatoes.

Question 15

What enzyme breaks down carbohydrates?

Answer 15

Amylase

Question 16

What are the 2 types of carbohydrates?

Answer 16

Starch and sugars

Question 17

How does water benefit the body?

Answer 17

It helps regulate body temperature.

Question 18

Can water be digested?

Answer 18

No- it’s already in a form readily absorbed by the body.

Question 19

Where is water absorbed?

Answer 19

Although most absorption occurs in the small intestine, the large intestine also absorbs any remaining water.

Question 20

How do fats benefit the body?

Answer 20

They provide energy and prevent heat loss.

Question 21

What enzyme digests fats?

Answer 21

Lipase- it is found in the small intestine.

Question 22

What may be a disadvantage to eating too much fats?

Answer 22

There may be plaque buildup in the arteries leading to heart attacks or strokes.

Question 23

Give an example of a fat.

Answer 23

Butter and oil

Question 24

How do proteins benefit the body?

Answer 24

They build and repair cells whilst also providing energy.

Question 25

What enzyme digests proteins?

Answer 25

Pepsin and trypsin

Question 26

Give an example of a protein.

Answer 26

Meat, eggs and milk

Question 27

How do vitamins benefit the body?

Answer 27

They prevent body diseases.

Question 28

How do minerals benefit the body?

Answer 28

They keep the bones, heart, brain and muscles working properly.

Question 29

How does fibre benefit the body?

Answer 29

It provides an efficient digestion.

Question 30

Can fibre be digested?

Answer 30

No- the body can’t break it down into smaller molecules for absorption.

Question 31

What does the liver produce?

Answer 31

Bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine.

Question 32

What is the function of the pancreas?

Answer 32

To produce digestive juices and insulin.

Question 33

Where is the duodenum found?

Answer 33

In the first part of the small intestine.

Question 34

What is the function of the duodenum?

Answer 34

To transform the partially digested food it receives from your stomach into nutrients your body can use.

Question 35

What is the function of the stomach?

Answer 35

To churn the food and break it down mechanically as well as chemically.

Question 36

What special acid does the stomach produce to break foods down further?

Answer 36

Hydrochloric acid.

Question 37

Fill in the gaps. ____________ and _____________ usually occurs in the small intestine.

Answer 37

Digestion, absorption

Question 38

What does the small intestine have to absorb nutrients?

Answer 38

Finger shaped structures called villi and microvilli which increase the surface area.

Question 39

What is the function of the large intestine?

Answer 39

To absorb water and electrolytes from any remaining undigested food.

Question 40

What side is your large intestine on?

Answer 40

It starts on your right side, moving towards your left side.

Question 41

What is faeces?

Answer 41

A waste product (poo).

Question 42

What is the function of the rectum?

Answer 42

To store faeces until it is excreted through the anus.

Question 43

What are the 4 main stages of digestion?

Answer 43

Ingestion, digestion, absorption and egestion.