Quizlet Import: Digestive System

What is the digestive system?

a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste.

What is the alimentary canal?

the continuous tube that runs from the mouth to the anus, through which food passes during digestion.

What is the function of the mouth in digestion?

responsible for the mechanical breakdown of food through chewing and the chemical breakdown through saliva.

What is the function of the tongue?

helps in manipulating food for chewing and swallowing, and it also contains taste buds for sensing flavor.

What is the function of the pharynx?

serves as a pathway for food to move from the mouth to the esophagus and also plays a role in breathing.

What is the function of the esophagus?

a muscular tube that transports food from the pharynx to the stomach through peristalsis.

What is the cardio-esophageal sphincter?

a muscular valve that controls the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach.

What is the pyloric sphincter?

a valve that regulates the flow of partially digested food from the stomach to the small intestine.

What is the function of the small intestine?

responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption and further digestion of food.

What is the ileocecal valve?

a sphincter that separates the small intestine from the large intestine and prevents backflow.

What are pancreatic ducts?

transport digestive enzymes from the pancreas to the small intestine to aid in digestion.

What is the bile duct?

carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine to help digest fats.

What is the function of the large intestine?

absorbs water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter and compacts waste into feces.

What is the rectum?

the final section of the large intestine that stores feces until they are expelled from the body.

What is the anus?

the opening at the end of the digestive tract through which feces are expelled from the body.

What is the function of teeth?

used for mechanically breaking down food into smaller pieces to facilitate digestion.

What are salivary glands?

produce saliva, which contains enzymes that begin the digestion of carbohydrates.

What is the function of the pancreas?

produces digestive enzymes and hormones, such as insulin, that regulate blood sugar levels.

What is the function of the liver?

processes nutrients, detoxifies harmful substances, and produces bile for digestion.

What is the gall bladder?

stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver until it is needed for digestion.

What is the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?

the amount of energy expended while at rest in a neutrally temperate environment, representing the energy required for basic bodily functions.

What is Total Metabolic Rate (TMR)?

the total amount of energy expended by the body in a day, including all activities and bodily functions.

How does surface area influence metabolic rate?

Generally, a larger surface area increases metabolic rate because more body mass requires more energy to maintain.

How does sex influence metabolic rate?

Males typically have a higher metabolic rate than females due to greater muscle mass and hormonal differences.

How does thyroxine production influence metabolic rate?

produced by the thyroid gland, increases metabolic rate by stimulating the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.

How does age influence metabolic rate?

Metabolic rate generally decreases with age due to a loss of muscle mass and hormonal changes.

What is a nutrient?

a substance that the body needs for growth, repair, and maintenance of bodily functions.

What are carbohydrates?

organic compounds made of sugars, starches, and cellulose, providing energy to the body.

What are lipids?

fats and oils that store energy, provide insulation, and are essential for cell membrane structure.

What are proteins?

large molecules made up of amino acids that are essential for growth, repair, and enzyme function.

What are vitamins?

organic compounds that are crucial for various biochemical functions in the body and must be obtained from the diet.

What are minerals?

inorganic elements that play key roles in various bodily functions, including bone health and enzyme function.

What is metabolism?

all the chemical reactions in the body that maintain life, including those that convert food into energy.

What is glycolysis?

the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP in the process.

What is the Citric Acid Cycle?

is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA, also known as the Krebs Cycle

What is the Electron Transport Chain (ETC)?

a series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons and pump protons to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

Where does the bulk of ATP production occur?

occurs in the mitochondria during the Electron Transport Chain and oxidative phosphorylation.