Digestive System Reviewer
Introduction to Digestion
The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.
Two types of digestion:
o Mechanical digestion – Physical breakdown of food (e.g., chewing).
o Chemical digestion – Breakdown of food using enzymes.
Main Parts of the Digestive System
1. Mouth and Pharynx
o Digestion starts in the mouth.
o Teeth help in mechanical digestion by breaking food into smaller pieces.
o Saliva contains enzymes (like amylase) that start breaking down carbohydrates.
o Tongue moves food around to help with chewing and swallowing.
o Pharynx (throat) connects the mouth to the esophagus and serves as a passage
for food and air.
o Epiglottis prevents choking by covering the windpipe when swallowing.
2. Esophagus
o A muscular tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach.
o Uses peristalsis (wave-like muscle movements) to push food downward.
o No digestion happens here; it just transports food.
3. Stomach
o A muscular organ that temporarily stores food and continues digestion.
o Gastric juices (hydrochloric acid and pepsin) break down proteins.
o Stomach muscles churn food, mixing it with digestive juices.
o Food becomes chyme (a semi-liquid mixture) before moving to the small
intestine.
4. Small Intestine
o The longest part of the digestive system (about 6 meters long!).
o Main site for digestion and nutrient absorption.
o Divided into three parts:
Duodenum – The first section where bile and pancreatic enzymes mix
with chyme to break down food further.
Jejunum – The middle section where most nutrient absorption happens.
Ileum – The last section that absorbs the remaining nutrients before
passing food to the large intestine.
o Villi and microvilli (tiny finger-like structures) increase surface area for better
nutrient absorption.
5. Accessory Organs (Help in digestion but food does not pass through them)
o Liver – Produces bile, which helps digest fats.
o Gallbladder – Stores bile and releases it into the small intestine when needed.
o Pancreas – Produces digestive enzymes to break down proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates.
6. Large Intestine (Colon)
oAbsorbs water and minerals from leftover food.
oHouses helpful bacteria that produce vitamins like Vitamin K and B.
oForms and stores undigested waste (feces) before elimination.
7. Rectum and Anus
o Rectum stores solid waste until it is ready to be expelled.
o Anus is the opening where waste leaves the body.
Common Digestive Disorders
1. Gastric Ulcers – Sores in the stomach lining due to excessive acid or bacterial infection.
2. Heartburn – Stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.
3. Food Poisoning – Caused by bacteria, viruses, or toxins in contaminated food.
4. Constipation – Difficulty in bowel movement due to too much water absorption.
5. Diarrhea – Frequent watery stools due to insufficient water absorption.
6. Appendicitis – Inflammation of the appendix, usually requiring surgery.
7. Gallstones – Hard deposits in the gallbladder that cause pain and digestion issues.
8. Eating Disorders:
o Anorexia Nervosa – Fear of weight gain leading to extreme dieting.
o Bulimia – Eating and then vomiting food to avoid weight gain, damaging the
digestive system.
Key Terms to Remember:
Peristalsis – Muscle movements that push food through the digestive tract.
Bolus – Chewed food mixed with saliva.
Chyme – Partially digested food in the stomach.
Bile – A substance from the liver that helps digest fats.
Villi – Small finger-like structures in the small intestine that absorb nutrients.
Summary:
The digestive system processes food to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste.
Each organ has a specific role in digestion.
Proper diet and hygiene help maintain a healthy digestive system.
Disorders can disrupt digestion and require medical attention.
Good luck on your quiz!
