Disgestive System Flashcards
(16 cards)
Two main purposes of the disgusting system
Breakdown food into liquid form for cells
Move waste products of digestion out of the body
Four basic processes of digestion
Ingestion
Digestion
Absorption
Metabolism
Absorption
Process of taking nutrients into the blood stream
What is the Gastrointestinal tract ?
Long tube through which food passes as it undergoes digestion. It extends from the mouth to the rectum
Structures the gastrointestinal tract passes through
Mouth
Esophagus
Stomach
Duodenum
What is the duodenum?
First section of the small intestine. It’s securely attached to the abdomen and secretes juices to aid in the digestion process
Describe the stomach
J-shaped muscular organ. Takes 12 hours to completely empty.
Describe the small intestine
The small intestine is 20 ft long which provides the time it takes to digest nutrients.
Describe the large intestine
This is the last segment of the digestive tract. The large intestine is much larger In diameter but shorter. It reabsorbs water during the disgust ion process to be used again by the body.
Pancreas
Adds substances that aid in digestion.
What are the functions of the liver?
It helps breakdown toxic substances such as alcohol. Bile is created to breakdown fats. Vitamin k is produced.
What is the gallbladder?
A storage bag to hold bile. It contracts squeezing bile into the duodenum
What happens if organisms leave the tract?
Severe infection
What are the two movements that occur during digestion?
Mixing and propelling movements
Describe the mixing movement
Mixing occurs when the stomach is full. Waves of muscular contractions move thru the cell walls from top to bottom. These waves mix the food
Describe the propelling movement
Also known as peristalsis.
Rings of contractions occur one after another to push the food ahead.
