Human Digestion
Overview
GI (gastrointestinal) tract = alimentary
canal
Ingestion
Mouth
mechanical digestion
teeth
breaking
up food
chemical digestion
saliva
Enzymes start breaking
down molecules in food
Moistens and lubricates
for easy swallowing
Pharynx
The back of
the throat.
Larynx-
passage for
air, closes
when we
swallow.
Peristalsis
series of involuntary wave-
like muscle contractions
which move food along the
digestive tract
Stomach
Food is temporarily
stored here.
Gastric juices are
secreted.
Has layers of muscle
that line the inside.
Mechanically and
chemically breaks
down food.
Gastric Juices
Secreted by the stomach.
Acidic (pH 1.5-2.5) (HCl).
Pepsin- an enzyme that
breaks down large
proteins into amino
acids.
Food is further broken down
into a thin liquid called
chyme.
Accessory Organs
Liver
GallBladder
Pancreas
Liver
Function
produces bile
bile stored in gallbladder until needed
breaks up fats
BILE
Bileemulsifies lipids
(physically breaks apart
FATS)
Bile is a bitter, greenish-
yellow alkaline fluid, stored
in the gallbladder between
meals and upon eating is
discharged into the
duodenum where it aids the
process of digestion.
Gall bladder
Pouch structure located near the liver which concentrates
and stores bile
Bile duct – a long tube that carries BILE. The top half of the
common bile duct is associated with the liver, while the
bottom half of the common bile duct is associated with the
pancreas, through which it passes on its way to the
intestine.
Pancreas
An organ which secretes both digestive enzymes (exocrine) and
hormones (endocrine)
** Pancreatic juice digests all major nutrient types.
Small Intestine
Most chemical
digestion takes place
here.
Simple sugars and
proteins are absorbed
into the inner lining.
Fatty acids and
glycerol go to
lymphatic system.
Lined with villi, which
increase surface area
for absorption, one cell
Small intestine
Function
chemical digestion
major organ of digestion & absorption
absorption through lining
over 6 meters!
small intestine has huge surface area = 300m2 (~size of
tennis court)
Structure
3 sections
duodenum = most digestion
jejunum = absorption of nutrients & water
ileum = absorption of nutrients & water
Duodenum
1st section of small intestines
acid food from stomach
mixes with digestive juices from:
pancreas
liver
gall
bladder
Absorption in the SI
Much absorption is thought to occur directly through
the wall without the need for special adaptations
Almost 90% of our daily fluid intake is absorbed in
the small intestine.
Villi and microvilli - increase the surface area of
the small intestines, thus providing better
absorption of materials
Large intestines
(colon)
Function
re-absorb water
use ~9 liters of water every
day in digestive juices
> 90% of water reabsorbed
notenough water
absorbed
diarrhea
too much water absorbed
constipation
Large Intestine
Solid materials pass through the
large intestine.
These are indigestible solids (fibers).
Water is absorbed.
Vitamins K and B are reabsorbed
with the water.
Rectum- solid wastes exit the body.
You’ve got help!
Living in the large intestine is a community of helpful
bacteria
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
produce vitamins
vitamin K; B vitamins
generate gases
by-product of bacterial metabolism
methane, hydrogen sulfide
Digestive
Disorders
Most of the time, the
digestive system works
very effectively. However,
there are some things that
can happen to cause
disruptions.
Digestive Disorders
GASTRIC ULCER
erosion of the surface of the alimentary canal generally
associated with some kind of irritant
Can be caused by bacteria
Excessive stomach acid
Some medications
Digestive Disorders
Heartburn
Acid from the stomach
backs up into the
esophagus.
If the sphincter muscles
at the top of the stomach
do not seal tightly
enough, stomach acid can
move up the esophagus
and cause a burning
sensation.
Can erode the esophagus
if not treated
Digestive Disorders
Food Poisoning
Bacteria, viruses, parasites, or
toxins in food cause digestive
upset
Onset of symptoms can be from
4 hours to 28 days.
Prevention is important, including
cooking all foods thoroughly and
maintaining cleanliness in all
cooking and processing areas.
Symptoms: nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, fever, aches, cramps,
and sometimes death.
Digestive Disorders
Constipation
a condition in which it
becomes difficult to
empty the large
intestine.
toomuch water is
reabsorbed
solid waste hardens
Digestive Disorders
Diarrhea
a when things move through
the intestine quickly and not
much water is absorbed.
This
results in increased,
multiple, watery feces.
This
condition may result in
severe dehydration,
especially in infants
Appendix
Vestigial organ
Digestive Disorders
Appendicitis
aninflammation of
the appendix due to
infection
Theappendix is
blocked and swells in
response.
Common treatment
is removal of the
appendix via surgery
Digestive
Disorders
Gallstones
anaccumulation of
hardened cholesterol
and/or calcium
deposits in the
gallbladder
Caneither be
“passed” (OUCH!!) or
surgically removed
Digestive Disorders
-- Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
a psychological condition where an
individual thinks they appear
overweight and refuses to eat.
Bulimia
condition where individual forces
themselves to vomit after eating as a
weight-loss method
Damages teeth and esophagus
