The Digestive System/Alimentary Canal

Question 1

What is digestion

Answer 1

The process by which the large, complex, insoluble food materials ingested are broken down by a series of mechanical and chemical processes into soluble forms which can be absorbed into the blood and used by cells.

Question 2

What are the 2 types of digestion

Answer 2

Chemical
Mechanical

Question 3

What is Mechanical Digestion

Answer 3

Mechanical digestion is the physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces to increase the surface area on which digestive enzymes can act.

Question 4

What is Mastication

Answer 4

Chewing

Question 5

How does digestion start in the mouth

Answer 5

Through mechanical digestion and chemical digestion; the salivary gland which secretes saliva containing salivary amylase, beginning chemical digestion by breaking down starches/polysaccharides into disaccharides

Question 6

What is another name for swallowing

Answer 6

Deglutition

Question 7

What is peristalsis

Answer 7

Walls containing circular smooth muscle tissue which, through wave like motions in the oesophagus that move food (the bolus) down to the stomach.

Question 8

What is gastric juice

Answer 8

A combination of hydrochloric acid, lipase, pepsin and other chemicals that break down food in the stomach

Question 9

What is the pH level of the stomach

Answer 9

2

Question 10

What are the 3 parts of the small intestine

Answer 10

duodenum
jejunum
ileum

Question 11

Where is the last sit at where digestion is completed

Answer 11

Duodenum

Question 12

What does the jejunum absorbs

Answer 12

mainly fatty acids, glycerol, amino acids and monosaccharides,

Question 13

What does the ileum absorbs

Answer 13

vitamins, bile salts and remaining nutrients unabsorbed from the jejunum.

Question 14

What is the function of the large intestine

Answer 14

The reabsorption of water and mineral ions
The formation and temporary storage of faeces
Facilitating the bacterial fermentation of indigestible materials

Question 15

What is the function of the small intestine

Answer 15

To absorb nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream

Question 16

What does the lining of the rectum do

Answer 16

Absorbs water and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium

Question 17

What is the anus

Answer 17

The opening from which the waste from the digestive system is excreted. Muscles, anal sphincters, are responsible for controlling when waste is evacuated

Question 18

What is the process of digestion

Answer 18

1. Ingestion: This is the intake of food through the mouth.
2. Propulsion: Food is moved along the digestive tract through peristalsis, rhythmic muscle contractions.
3. Mechanical Digestion: Physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces, such as chewing and churning in the stomach.
4. Chemical Digestion: Enzymes and other chemical substances break down food molecules into smaller components.
5. Secretion: Various digestive glands release fluids like saliva, bile, and pancreatic juice to aid digestion.
6. Absorption: Nutrients from the digested food are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine.
7. Defecation: Undigested waste products are eliminated from the body as feces.