Digestive system Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is the Digestive System?
A group of organs that break down food into smaller molecules so nutrients can be absorbed into the blood and used by the body.
What are the main parts of the digestive system?
- Mouth: Chews food, mixes with saliva
- Esophagus: Pushes food to stomach using muscle contractions
- Stomach: Churns food, adds acid and enzymes
- Small Intestine: Absorbs nutrients into the blood
- Large Intestine: Absorbs water and forms solid waste
- Rectum/Anus: Stores and removes waste
What is peristalsis?
A wave-like muscle movement that pushes food through the digestive system.
What do enzymes do in digestion?
They break down large food molecules into small, soluble ones.
What does amylase break down and where does it work?
Starch → Glucose in the mouth & small intestine.
What does protease break down and where does it work?
Protein → Amino acids in the stomach & small intestine.
What does lipase break down and where does it work?
Fats → Fatty acids + Glycerol in the small intestine.
What does bile do?
Breaks fat into tiny droplets and neutralizes stomach acid.
Where is bile made and stored?
Made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
What is absorption and where does it happen?
Taking digested food molecules into the blood, mainly in the small intestine.
What structures increase surface area for nutrient absorption in the small intestine?
Villi, which are tiny finger-like structures.
What is the difference between mechanical and chemical digestion?
- Mechanical: Physical breakdown (e.g., chewing)
- Chemical: Breakdown using enzymes (e.g., amylase)
What is the quick pathway of digestion in order?
Mouth → Esophagus → Stomach → Small Intestine → Large Intestine → Rectum → Anus
What might be asked about a diagram of the digestive system?
- Label parts like stomach, liver, small intestine
- Say what each part does
- Identify where enzymes act
- Trace the path of food through the system
What does the Liver do?
Makes bile (a greenish fluid that helps digest fat)
Bile is alkaline, so it neutralizes stomach acid in the small intestine
Bile also emulsifies fats (breaks big fat droplets into small ones)
Bile does not contain enzymes, but it helps enzymes work better.
What does the Gallbladder do?
Stores bile made by the liver
Releases bile into the small intestine when needed (after eating fatty food)
What does the Pancreas do?
Makes digestive enzymes:
Amylase (for starch)
Protease (for protein)
Lipase (for fats)
Releases them into the small intestine
Also produces alkaline fluid to neutralize stomach acid
Are these organs part of the digestive tract?
No! They’re called accessory organs
They don’t touch the food directly, but they help break it down.
Quick Summary Table of Organ Functions
Liver: Makes bile to help digest fats and neutralize acid
Gallbladder: Stores and releases bile
Pancreas: Makes enzymes and alkaline fluid to digest carbs, proteins, fats
