The Digestive System (Unit Test)

Digestive Tract

The continuous tube from the mouth to the anus, responsible for processing food for nutrient absorption and waste elimination.

Accessory organs

Organs such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas that aid digestion but are not part of the digestive tract.

Epithelial tissue

The protective lining of the digestive tract that secretes mucus to aid digestion and protect from acids.

Mucus

A slippery substance secreted by goblet cells that lubricates the digestive lining and protects against digestive enzymes.

Mechanical Digestion

The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces, primarily through chewing in the mouth and churning in the stomach.

Saliva

A fluid produced in the mouth containing enzymes that start carbohydrate digestion and help form a bolus for swallowing.

Peristalsis

Involuntary muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach, transporting food via peristalsis.

Stomach

An organ that holds food, mixes it with digestive juices, and breaks it down into a semi-liquid form called chyme.

Small Intestine

A 6-meter-long organ where most nutrient digestion and absorption occur, consisting of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Large Intestine

Also known as the colon, it absorbs water and electrolytes from waste and prepares it for excretion.

Colitis

Inflammation of the colon's lining, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Crohn’s Disease

A chronic inflammatory condition affecting the digestive tract, causing pain and digestive issues.

Liver

A key accessory organ that produces bile for fat digestion and performs various metabolic functions.

Pancreas

An organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin to regulate blood sugar.

Gallbladder

A small organ that stores and concentrates bile from the liver for fat digestion.

Nutrients

Essential substances from food, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, necessary for bodily functions.

Digestive enzymes

Proteins that facilitate the chemical breakdown of food into absorbable nutrients.

Smooth muscle tissue

Involuntary muscle found in the walls of the digestive tract responsible for food movement.

Goblet cells

Epithelial cells in the digestive tract that secrete mucus for protection and lubrication.

Vomiting

The expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth, usually as a reaction to irritation.

Diarrhea

Frequent, watery bowel movements, often as a response to infection or digestive upset.

Nerve tissue

Tissue that transmits signals, regulating digestion and signaling hunger or fullness.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps control blood sugar levels.

Breaking down carbohydrates

The process that begins in the mouth, where enzymes in saliva convert starches into sugars.

Feces

Solid waste excreted from the body after digestion, composed of undigested food and bacteria.

Food molecules absorption

The process by which nutrients pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream for use by the body.