FlashFlowBiology — Digestive system
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What is digestion?
The breakdown of large food molecules into smaller soluble m…
Why do we need digestion?
So nutrients can be absorbed into the blood
Where does digestion begin?
The mouth
What happens to food in the mouth?
It is chewed and mixed with saliva
What is mechanical digestion?
Physically breaking food into smaller pieces
What is chemical digestion?
Breaking large molecules into smaller molecules using enzyme…
What is saliva?
A liquid produced by salivary glands that helps digest food
Which enzyme is found in saliva?
Amylase
What does amylase break down?
Starch into sugars
What is the oesophagus?
The tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach
What is peristalsis?
Waves of muscle contraction that push food through the diges…
What is the stomach?
An organ that stores and digests food
What acid is found in the stomach?
Hydrochloric acid
Why is stomach acid important?
It kills many microorganisms and provides the right pH for p…
What is a protease?
An enzyme that breaks down proteins
What do proteins break down into?
Amino acids
What is the small intestine?
The organ where most digestion and absorption takes place
What happens in the small intestine?
Digestion is completed and soluble nutrients are absorbed in…
What are villi?
Small finger-like structures lining the small intestine
What is the function of villi?
To increase the surface area for absorption
How are villi adapted for absorption?
They have a large surface area and a good blood supply
What is absorption?
The movement of digested soluble nutrients into the blood
What is the large intestine?
The organ that absorbs water from undigested food
What is the rectum?
Where faeces are stored before leaving the body
What is the anus?
The opening where faeces leave the body
What is a carbohydrate?
A nutrient that provides energy
What are carbohydrates broken down into?
Simple sugars such as glucose
What is a protein?
A nutrient needed for growth and repair
What are proteins broken down into?
Amino acids
What is a lipid?
A type of fat
What are lipids broken down into?
Fatty acids and glycerol
What is an enzyme?
A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions
What is a biological catalyst?
A substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up
What is amylase?
An enzyme that breaks down starch
What is protease?
An enzyme that breaks down protein
What is lipase?
An enzyme that breaks down lipids
What does lipase produce?
Fatty acids and glycerol
Where is bile produced?
In the liver
Where is bile stored?
In the gallbladder
What does bile do?
Neutralises stomach acid and emulsifies fats
What is emulsification?
Breaking large fat droplets into smaller droplets
Why does bile help lipase?
It increases the surface area of fat for lipase to work on
What is the liver's role in digestion?
It produces bile
What is the gallbladder's role?
It stores and releases bile
What is the pancreas?
An organ that produces digestive enzymes
Which enzymes does the pancreas produce?
Amylase
What is the order of the digestive system?
Mouth
What is egestion?
The removal of undigested food from the body as faeces
What is the difference between egestion and excretion?
Egestion removes undigested food
Why is the small intestine well adapted for absorption?
It has many villi
Why are enzymes important in digestion?
They break large insoluble food molecules into small soluble…
What happens to glucose after absorption?
It enters the blood and can be used in respiration
What happens to amino acids after absorption?
They are used to make new proteins for growth and repair