Digestive system
• Digestion is any change which makes the food soluble and of such chemical nature
that it con be absorbed readily through living membranes.
• Enzymes are the biological catalyst which speeds up a reaction in the body of a
living thing with out actually taking part in the reaction
• Characteristics of enzymes:
1.it is o protein, and there fore destroyed by heating.
2.it acts on only one kink of substance called substrate ie.it is specific.
3.it always forms the some end-product(s) from the substrate.
4.it only effects the rote of comical reaction and thus speeds up the reaction with out actually taking
part in it.
5. Like a catalyst, it can he used again & again.
6.it acts lest only on on particular Ph, ie.at a particular r degree of acidity av alkalinity
7.it acts best within a narrow temperature range, usually between 35°&40° which is also called
The optimum temperature.
Digestive system:-
1. Alimentary canal: - it is o muscular tube starts from the mouth and ends up in onus. It is 9
meters long and is highly coiled in certain especially y regions in small intestine its various
regions. Ore different both in structure and function.
1. Digestive glands they are located in the tinning of the various regions of the digestive
tube two large digestive glands, the liver and pancreas, are also associated with it, and
three different glands are associated with the oral cavity.
A)- the mouth in holozonic nutrition, the food is taken inside the month, the process is
known as ingestion. Inside the month, teeth, Tongue and salivary glands are present. Each of
them play significant role in digestion.
B)- Teeth mouth or the buccal cuvatiy have teeth, which mechanically break down the food
into simpler substances. Teeth's are rooted in the separate sockets in gums.
An adult he m on has 32 teeth's
1. Incisors are the sharp, flat teeth at the front of the mouth. They are used for cutting and
biting food into smaller pieces. Humans have eight incisors, four in the upper jaw and four
in the lower jaw.
2.Canines: Canines are the pointed teeth next to the incisors. They help in tearing and holding
food. There are four canines in total, two in each jaw.
3.Premolars: Premolars are located behind the canines. They have broad, flat surfaces that
help in crushing and grinding food. Humans have eight premolars, four in each jaw.
4.Molars: Molars are the large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth. They are used for
grinding and chewing food thoroughly. There are twelve molars, including the wisdom
teeth, six in each jaw.
Babies do not have teeth, humans grown with two sets of teeth. The first alt of to th starts
growing during infancy called the milk teeth. These ball off between age of six and eight . The
second set of teeth, is called the permanent teeth which lasts through out the life
Dental formulas for milk teeth in humans 2120 /2120 means
Each half of upper jour and lower jaw has 2inscicans, I canine, 2 promolars and molars are
absent.
* Dental formula for permanent teeth
2123/2123. It means each half of upper and
lower you contains 2 inscioars, 1 canine, 2
premolars and 3 molars.
The vertical section of the teeth have the following parts -
• the crown lies above the gums.
O
>
-
• the neck connects the crown with the roots.
• the root lies buried inside the gums and support the tooth.
-
• the white part of the tooth is called the enamel and it consists
of calcium salts and it covers the crown being the hardest
-
& part.
• inner to th name list the dentin which is a solid tissue and
contains microscopic tubules/tubes.
• the dentime encloses a cavity called the pulp cavity this cavity
supplies the tooth with blood capillaries and nerves.
• at the root of the teeth is a bone like material called the
cement which holds the tooth firmly to the socket.
Salivary Glands :-
The three major salivary glands ore:
• Parotid glands located just in front of and beneath auch ear
• submandibular glands lying close to the inner side of the lower jaw on such side
• sublingual glands below the tongue
Ducks from each glands transport the saliva into the mouth. While eating the salivary flow
slightly increases .
about 1000 -1500ml saliva is released everyday.
saliva is very slightly acidic pH6.8, fluid contains water about 99%, salts mucus and on
enzyme salivary amylase ( also called ptyalin).
*The main functions of saliva are:
1. Lubrication and Moistening of Food – Saliva makes food moist and soft, which helps in easy
chewing and swallowing.
2. Digestion – It contains an enzyme called salivary amylase (ptyalin) that starts the digestion of
starch into simple sugars.
3. Cleansing of Mouth – Saliva washes away food particles and keeps the mouth clean, reducing the
risk of infections.
4. Taste – It helps dissolve food particles so that taste buds can detect different tastes.
5. Protection – Saliva contains antibacterial substances that protect against harmful microbes
.
• Swallowing and peristalsis
In swallowing, there are several simultaneous octions
*. the tongue presses upward and back against the roof- palate of the
mouth and this forces the bodies into the throat ar the pharynx.
• the back part of the roof of the mouth cavity- soft palate closes the
opening between the throat and the nasal passage.
• The larynx which is located at the on trance of the wind pipe is
pallid upward to bring it close to the back of the tongue when a flap
called epiglottis closes its opening. This the only passage available
to the small owed good is that of the gullet or asophages.
Oesophagus :-
* It is a tube which simply conducts the food from the throat to the stomach.it passes through the
diaphragm close to the backbone.
• once the food reaches the oesophagus it is conducted behind a special movement called peristalsis.
• Peristalsis is the wave of constrictions caused by the circular muscles of the gut pushing the food
along.
• Mucus secreted by all the regions of the gut is a slimy fluid which lubricates the food.
• Stomach:-
• The stomach is an elastic bag situated below the diaphragm. In an average adult, it can store 2-3
liters of food. Its walls are highly muscular and churn the food throughly to mix the gastric juice
secreted by the inner lining.
• The opening of the stomach is called the pylorus (meaning gate-keeper).
• It has a ring of muscles (sphincter) to keep the opening closed like a valve to prevent food from
passing from stomach until it is throughly churned up.
• A similar sphincter termed cardiac sphincter is present at the front end of the stomach to prevent
back flow of food into oesophagus.
• Vomiting : Sometimes when the stomach is overloaded or disturbed, vomiting occurs in which the
cardiac sphincter opens and a reverse wave of muscular construction is caused throwing the
contents out of the mouth.
• Gastric Juice: is secreted by the inner lining of the stomach. It is colourless, highly acidic liquid
containing water, some salts, hydrocolic acid and an enzyme called pepsin.
End
