Digestive System

Question 1

Mastication

Answer 1

Chewing

Question 2

Peristalsis

Answer 2

Like your body’s internal conveyor belt, moving food and fluids along the digestive system using muscle contractions

Question 3

Segmentation

Answer 3

How your small intestine mixes and churns food to help break it down and absorb nutrients

Question 4

Salivary amylase (ptyalin)

Answer 4

A digestive enzyme found in saliva that starts breaking down carbohydrates (specifically starch) in the mouth

Question 5

Lingual lipase

Answer 5

A digestive enzyme secreted by glands on your tongue that helps break down lipids (fats) into fatty acids and glycerol

Question 6

Lysozyme

Answer 6

Your body’s natural antibiotic enzyme, found in secretions like tears and saliva. It kills bacteria by breaking their cell walls

Question 7

Mucin

Answer 7

The core component of mucus, providing lubrication, protection, and defense across your body’s internal surfaces

Question 8

Chyme

Answer 8

Thick, semi-liquid mixture of partially digested food and digestive juices formed in the stomach during digestion

Question 9

Pyloric Sphincter

Answer 9

The gatekeeper between your stomach and small intestine, controlling how much partially digested food moves forward for nutrient absorption

Question 10

Mucosa

Answer 10

Inner lining that protects, lubricates, absorbs, and helps defend the body in many hollow organs

Question 11

Gastric glands

Answer 11

Stomach’s chemical factories, producing acid, enzymes, mucus, and hormones needed for digestion and protection

Question 12

4 types of cells in gastric glands

Answer 12

Mucous cells, parietal cells, chief cells, endocrine cells

Question 13

Endocrine cells (G cells)

Answer 13

Hormone-producing cells that release chemicals into the blood to control and coordinate body functions

Question 14

Parietal cells

Answer 14

Make stomach acid for digestion and produce intrinsic factor to ensure your body absorbs vitamin B12. Also lowers pH of gastric juice to 1-3

Question 15

Pepsinogen (pepsin)

Answer 15

Inactive form of the protein-digesting enzyme pepsin, secreted by chief cells and activated by stomach acid to begin protein digestion

Question 16

Chief cells (zymogenic cells or peptic cells)

Answer 16

Stomach cells that secrete pepsinogen

Question 17

Mucous cells

Answer 17

Protect the stomach by producing mucus, which coats the lining and prevents it from being damaged by acid

Question 18

The cardiac region of the stomach

Answer 18

First part of the stomach where food enters. Controls the flow of food from the esophagus and helps prevent acid reflux by working with the lower esophageal sphincter

Question 19

Fundus

Answer 19

Upper dome-shaped part of the stomach that stores food and air, secretes digestive substances, and helps kick off digestion

Question 20

Body of the stomach (corpus)

Answer 20

Main digestive chamber where food is mixed, acidified, and enzymatically broken down before moving to the small intestine

Question 21

Pylorus

Answer 21

Stomach’s exit zone, controlling when and how partially digested food (chyme) moves into the small intestine

Question 22

Bile

Answer 22

Your body’s natural fat-digesting fluid, made by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the small intestine to emulsify fats and help absorb nutrients

Question 23

Glycogenesis

Answer 23

The process of storing glucose as glycogen, mainly in the liver and muscles, so your body has backup energy for later use

Question 24

Glycogenolysis

Answer 24

Your body’s way of unlocking stored glucose from glycogen when you need energy or your blood sugar drops

Question 25

Gluconeogenesis

Answer 25

The process of making new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources — kind of like your body's emergency backup system for energy

Question 26

Pancreas

Answer 26

Both a digestive enzyme factory and a blood sugar manager, making it crucial for both digestion and metabolism

Question 27

Small intestine

Answer 27

Where most digestion happens and almost all nutrients are absorbed

Question 28

Microvilli

Answer 28

Final gateway for turning food into usable nutrients

Question 29

Duodenum

Answer 29

First and most active part of the small intestine. Neutralizes acid, receives digestive enzymes and bile, and starts absorbing nutrients

Question 30

Jejunum

Answer 30

Nutrient absorption powerhouse of the small intestine. After the duodenum breaks things down, the jejunum soaks up carbs, proteins, vitamins, and minerals to fuel your body

Question 31

Ileum

Answer 31

Last stop in the small intestine. Absorbs vitamin B12, bile salts, and leftover nutrients. Plays a role in immune defense

Question 32

Large intestine

Answer 32

Absorbs water, supports good bacteria, forms feces, and prepares everything for the final flush

Question 33

Ileocecal valve

Answer 33

One-way door between the small and large intestines that prevents backflow

Question 34

Cecum

Answer 34

Entry point to the large intestine

Question 35

Rectum

Answer 35

Feces storage chamber

Question 36

Haustra

Answer 36

Pouch-like segments of the large intestine that help mix and move waste, aiding in efficient water absorption and feces formation

Question 37

Anal canal

Answer 37

Final gateway controlling when and how stool leaves the body

Question 38

Rectal ampulla

Answer 38

Expandable storage area at the end of the rectum that holds feces and triggers the urge to defecate

Question 39

Enteric nervous system (ENS)

Answer 39

Autonomous control center of the gut, managing digestion through coordinating muscle movements, secretions, and sensing the gut environment — all with a surprising amount of independence from your brain

Question 40

Submucosal plexus

Answer 40

Managing digestive secretions and local blood flow, and sensing conditions inside the gut to keep digestion running smoothly

Question 41

Myenteric plexus

Answer 41

Motor control center of the gut, coordinating smooth muscle activity to keep food moving efficiently from start to finish