digestion

digestion

breaking down food into nutrients

absorption

uptake of nutrients by the small intestine into blood or lymph

mouth

mechanical digestion (chewing), digestion of carbs begin, salivary glands secrete salivary amylase, bolus is created

esophagus

moves mixture of food into stomach via peristalsis. Epiglottis covers trachea during swallowing

stomach

mechanical churning, protein digestion begins, gastric juices break down proteins

liver

produces bile, stores glycogen and vitamins

gallbladder

stores bile from liver, emulsifies fats, fat globules into smaller fat globules

pancreas

produces digestive enzymes. Amylase breaks down carbs, lipase breaks down lipids, and protease breaks down proteins

insulin

lowers blood sugar

glucagon

raises blood sugar

duodenum

where most of digestion occurs, receives bile, juices, and enzymes from accessory organs

jejunum and ileum

absorption of most nutrients into blood or lymph

large intestine

absorbs water, electrolytes. Secretes vitamins

sphincter contractions

small intestines large surface area

promotes absorption, wants to grab as much nutrients

small intestine

where most of absorption takes place

villi

select and regulate what nutrients are absorbed, based on need

microvilli

bring nutrients into cell via enzymes and pumps. Either blood stream or lymphatic system

blood stream absorption

water soluble nutrients, smaller products, nutrients is brought to the liver

lymphatic system absorption

this is where larger and fat soluble vitamins go to the heart where the nutrients is pumped into all body cells, and liver deals with the remnants

chylomicrons

hydrophilic packs that pass through blood to heart