Digestive System Terminology (digestive system - trypsin)

Digestive system

function is the physical/chemical breakdown of food so they can be absorbed into the bloodstream and used by the cells and tissues, and elimination of non-digestible substances produced during metabolism

Digestion

the process of changing food into usable substances

Absorption

the transfer of nutrients into the blood stream / the transportation of digested end products from the GI tract into the capillaries and lymph vessels

Ingestion

the process of taking food into the digestive tract

Propulsion

the process of moving food through the alimentary canal (swallowing, peristalsis)

Mechanical digestion

the physical preparation of food for chemical digestion; mastication: the mixing of food with saliva by the tongue, churning and mixing of food in stomach, and segmentation in the intestines (rhythmic local constrictions of the intestine)

Chemical digestion

the catabolic process in which large food molecules are broken down into smaller molecules by enzymatic hydrolysis (simple sugars, monosaccharides, glycogen, starch, amino acids, polypeptides, peptides, fatty acids, glycerol)

Defecation

the elimination of indigestible materials and waste from the body

Mouth

The functions are speech and the reception of food and preparation of it for digestion

Tongue

used to speak and guide food, and contains taste buds which identify sweet, bitter, salty, and sour

Teeth

cut, grind, and tear food

Pharynx (throat)

contains the tonsils, which are lymphatic tissues. The tonsils guard the entrance of the digestive and respiratory systems from bacterial invasion.

Esophagus

the tube connecting the pharynx and stomach.

Stomach

receives swallowed food, secretes gastric juices, mixes food with gastric juices, and absorbs some drugs, water, and alcohol

Small intestine

completes the digestion of food begun in the stomach; the end products of digestion are absorbed into the blood and lymph

Large intestine

absorbs water and eliminates waste products of digestion through the anus

Liver

secretes bile and forms antibodies

Gall bladder

stores and concentrates bile; ejects bile into the duodenum as needed during digestion

Pancreas

secretes pancreatic juices containing digestive enzymes. The pancreas also manufactures insulin which regulates glucose metabolism

Appendix

a small, blind tube extending from the large intestine at the junction of the small and large intestines. Its function is not understood.

Saliva

contains the enzyme salivary amylase (ptyalin), which changes starch into double sugar

Gastric juice

contains hydrochloric acid and enzymes. Softens connective tissues in meat. Kills some pathogenic bacteria. Activates gastric enzymes

Pepsin

begins protein digestion

Pancreatic juice

contains enzymes

Amylopsin

acts on starches

Trypsin

acts on proteins