Organs and Functions of Digestive System

Liver - what is the name of the substance this organ creates to aid digestion

Bile

If food does not move through the pancreas, gallbladder and liver, then what is their purpose in digestion?

Contribute chemicals that aid in digestion

What are 3 main functions of digestive system

Digest or break down food, absorb nutrients

Esophagus - what is the function

Carry food, liquids, and saliva from the mouth to the stomach.

Pancreas - list 3 things the enzymes break down

Fats, proteins and carbohydrates

Mouth - list the two types of digestion and describe them

Mechanical digestion begins in the mouth as the food is chewed. Chemical digestion involves breaking down the food into simpler nutrients that can be used by the cells. Chemical digestion begins in the mouth when food mixes with saliva. Saliva contains an enzyme (amylase) that begins the breakdown of carbohydrates.

What is the purpose of rectum

stores waste

What is the duodenum made of

It is made of simple columnar epithelial tissue with microvilli on its surface to increase its surface area and improve the absorption of nutrients. Plentiful mucous glands secrete mucus into the lumen to lubricate the intestinal wall and protect it from friction and acidic chyme.

Stomach - name of mixed substance (food)

Partially digested food is known as Chyme. Stomach contains digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid and pepsin (breaks down proteins)

How big is the entire surface area of the small intestine (thanks to the villi)

Size of basketball court

Which is longer, small or large intestine?

Small - it is only smaller in width, not length

Gallbladder function

The gallbladder serves as a reservoir for bile while it's not being used for digestion.

What is purpose of enzyme pepsin

breaks down proteins

Function of esophagus

narrow tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Food moves through the esophagus because of peristalsis. At the lower end of the esophagus, a circular muscle controls the opening to the stomach. The muscle relaxes to let food pass into the stomach. Then the muscle contracts again to prevent food from passing back into the esophagus.

What does large intestine connect

small intestine with anus

Define Peristalsis

the involuntary (occurs without conscious thought) constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal, creating wavelike movements that push the contents of the canal forward. Peristalsis is needed to move food through digestive system. Begins in esophagus.

Chemical digestion

Chemical digestion may start even before you put the first bite of food into your mouth. Just seeing or smelling food can cause the release of saliva and digestive enzymes in your mouth. Once you start eating, saliva wets the food, which makes it easier to break up and swallow. Digestive enzymes, including the enzyme amylase, start breaking down starches into sugars. Your tongue helps mix the food with the saliva and enzymes.

After water is removed from waste, what is the name of what's left over

Feces (poop)

What is absorbed by the small intestine

Nutrients or products of digestion (sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids) are absorbed into the bloodstream here.

What 2 organs contribute enzymes in the duodenum

Pancreas and liver

Where is the duodenum located

The first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach, leading to the jejunum

What role do teeth play in digestive process

The first step of digestion starts in your mouth. Teeth help break down foods and saliva has enzymes by which the digestive process starts. As you swallow food, muscles move it through the digestive tract. Food then is broken down and absorbed of nutrients needed by your body for health and development.

What is the purpose of the digestive system

The function of the digestive system is digestion and absorption. Digestion is the breakdown of food into small molecules, which are then absorbed into the body. The digestive system is divided into two major parts: The digestive tract (alimentary canal) is a continuous tube with two openings: the mouth and the anus.

What 3 structures does food not pass through

Pancreas, Liver and Gallbladder

Where are nutrients absorbed into blood

The small intestine is also where most nutrients are absorbed into the blood. The later sections of the small intestines are covered with tiny projections called villi (Figure below). Villi contain very tiny blood vessels. Nutrients are absorbed into the blood through these tiny vessels. There are millions of villi, so, altogether, there is a very large area for absorption to take place. In fact, villi make the inner surface area of the small intestine 1,000 times larger than it would be without them. The entire inner surface area of the small intestine is about as big as a basketball court!

What are the tiny blood vessels through which nutrients are absorbed

Villi

What is absorbed from large intestine

Water is absorbed here and the remaining waste material is stored as feces before being removed by defecation.

What can be absorbed into blood from the stomach

Water, salt, and simple sugars

Mechanical digestion

Your front teeth are sharp. They cut and tear food when you bite into it. Your back teeth are broad and flat. They grind food into smaller pieces when you chew. Chewing is part of mechanical digestion. Your tongue pushes the food to the back of your mouth so you can swallow it. When you swallow, the lump of chewed food passes down your throat to your esophagus.