Front | Back |
Mastication -
|
The process of chewing
|
Digestion -
|
The breakdown of food molecules into their individual components.
|
What are the “major players” in the digestive system?
|
Mouth.
teeth
saliva
tongue
pharynx
esophagus
stomach
liver
small intestine
large intestine
gall bladder
pancreas
rectum
anus
|
What is the function of the mouth in digestion?
|
Food is cut, crushed, and ground into little pieces by the teeth. It is also moistened by saliva
|
What is the function of the teeth in digestion?
|
Actually grind the food into little pieces.
|
What is the function of saliva in digestion?
|
Moistens the food to make it easier to swallow and grind up.
|
What is the function of the tongue in digestion?
|
Moves food around in the mouth and provides most of the taste sensation we get when we eat.
|
What is the function of the pharynx in digestion?
|
It is the opening from the mouth to the esophagus through which food passes.
|
What is the function of the esophagus in digestion?
|
The muscular tube through which food passes from the mouth through the pharynx and ultimately to the stomach.
|
What is the function of the stomach in digestion?
|
The food is churned and mixed with juices which are secreted by the stomach and temporarily stores the food until it is thoroughly mixed (called chyme).
|
What is the function of the small intestine in digestion?
|
Food molecules are digested, and most of the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining.
|
What is the function of the small intestine in digestion?
|
Picks up many of the nutrients that pass through it from the blood that comes from the small intestine. It is one of the largest organs in the human body, and it cleans the blood of toxins and wastes and also it produces a substance called bile, (aids in the mechanical digestion of fats). In addition, it makes certain proteins that the body needs from the amino acids absorbed in digestion, and it stores many of the micronutrients and macronutrients that it picks up from the blood.
|
What is the function of the large intestine in digestion?
|
By the time food reaches the large intestine, most of the nutrients have been removed. At this point, then, the food must be eliminated from the body. Water is absorbed from the waste in the large intestine, and the waste is turned into feces.
|
What is the function of the gall bladder in digestion?
|
The bile from the liver is concentrated and stored here. The gall bladder then releases this concentrated bile into the small intestine, where it aids in the digestion of fats coming from the stomach.
|
What is the function of the pancreas in digestion?
|
Produces its own digestive juice, which is also released into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of the macronutrients. (pancreas also has endocrine functions!)
|