Digestive System and Body Organisation

Vocabulary flashcards covering the hierarchy of body systems, tissue types, cell specialization, organ necessity, and the mechanisms of digestion.

Levels of Body System Organisation

The structural hierarchy progressing from cells to tissues, to organs, and to organ systems.

Four Main Types of Tissue

The four primary categories of tissue in the body: muscle, connective, nervous, and epithelial.

Specialised Cells

Cells with a unique structure that enables them to perform a specific function.

Non-essential Organs

Organs that can be removed without causing death, though their absence may negatively impact body function or quality of life (e.g., tonsils, appendix, gallbladder, spleen).

Digestion

The process of breaking down large biological food pieces into tiny, soluble molecules so the body can absorb nutrients and energy.

Mechanical Digestion

The breakdown of food using body parts, relying on structures such as teeth.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of food that relies on and uses chemicals.