8 The Digestive System Free Online FlashCards

What is the route of the digestive tract?

The tract runs from the mouth through the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

How do accessory organs support digestion?

They support digestion by chewing food or adding secretions. Food travels through the digestive tract, not through the liver, pancreas, or gallbladder.

What is a bolus?

A bolus is a swallowable mass of food formed as the tongue mixes chewed food with saliva.

What is peristalsis?

Peristalsis is a series of wave-like muscular contractions that propels contents forward through the digestive tract.

What happens to food in the stomach, and what is chyme?

The stomach churns food with gastric juice; acid and pepsin begin protein digestion. The resulting semi-liquid mixture is chyme.

What does bile do in fat digestion?

The liver produces bile, which disperses large fat droplets into smaller ones. Bile is not a digestive enzyme.

What does the pancreas release into the small intestine?

The pancreas sends digestive enzymes and bicarbonate-rich fluid into the small intestine. Bicarbonate helps neutralize acidic chyme.

Where does carbohydrate digestion begin, and what does it produce?

Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth and continues in the small intestine, producing simple sugars such as glucose.

Where does protein digestion begin, and what are its products?

Protein digestion begins in the stomach and continues in the small intestine, breaking proteins into amino acids and small peptides.

How are fats digested?

Bile disperses fats, and pancreatic enzymes break them down mainly in the small intestine into fatty acids and related smaller molecules.

What is absorption, and where does most of it occur?

Absorption is the movement of digested nutrients, water, and electrolytes from the digestive tract into blood or lymph. Most nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine.

How do folds, villi, and microvilli aid absorption?

Folds, villi, and microscopic microvilli create a large surface area, making the small intestine especially effective at absorption.