The Digestive System Grade 11 Biology
Table of Contents Introduction to the Digestive System What is Digestion? 2 Phases of Digestion 4 Components of Digestion The Organs of Digestion
Introduction to the Digestive System The digestive system is an organ system that ingests food, breaks it down into smaller chemical units, and absorbs the nutrient molecules.
What is Digestion? Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into molecules small enough for the body to absorb.
2 Phases of Digestion Physical Digestion – begins in the mouth where the food is chewed Chemical Digestion – occurs in the mouth and the stomach
4 Components of Digestion Ingestion – the intake of nutrients Digestion – the breakdown of organic molecules Absorption – the transport of digested nutrients to body tissues Egestion – the removal of materials from food that the body cannot digest
The Organs of Digestion
Mouth Physical digestion begins Food is chewed into a bolus and mixed with saliva Initial carbohydrate digestion
Esophagus Peristaltic contractions move the food from the mouth to the stomach through the esophagus.
Stomach Food storage Initial protein digestion
Small Intestine Site of the majority of digestion and absorption Digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids Villi increase surface area of small intestine for absorption
Pancreas Releases enzymes into the small intestine to aid in digestion
Liver Produces bile salts which emulsify fats Storehouse for glycogen and vitamins Detoxifies many substances in the body
Gall Bladder Stores bile salts
Large Intestine Stores food wastes long enough to reabsorb water Houses bacteria which use waste materials to synthesize vitamins
Credits Nelson Biology, Bob Ritter, Nelson Canada, 1993. http://www.bayerpharma-na.com/children/RON/digest/chrd0106.asp http://central.vislab.usyd.edu.au/gallery/vrml/tour/ingal/cyber_anatomy/HTML/gallBladder.html http://health.upenn.edu/~surgery/clin/gi/gallblad.html http://www.digestivedisorders.org.uk/leaflets/pancreax.htm http://www.mts-stl.org/kw.organ.smintestine.phtml http://www.ama-assn.org/insight/gen_hlth/atlas/newatlas/digest.html