Chapter 3.1 & 3.3 Digestive System - gr. 10 biology

Digestive System

The organ system that takes in food, digests it, and excretes remaining waste

Mouth (Oral cavity)

The organ that is responsible for chewing and breaking down food.

Pharynx

Organ that is part of both the respiratory and the digestive system. Carries air, food, and fluid down from the nose and mouth.

Esophagus

The muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and contracts as it moves food down.

Stomach

J-shaped organ that digests food and produces enzymes to pass food down to the small intestine.

Small Intestine

A hollow tube that breaks down food from the stomach and extracts nutrients from the food to the bloodstream.

Large Intestine

Organ that reabsorbs water and vitamins and sorts out undigested matter.

Rectum

The organ that receives feces (undigested matter) and holds it until evacuation can happen.

Anus

Detects feces and releases it.

Appendix

Narrow finger-shaped pouch that sticks out of the colon which has an unknown function.

Liver

The organ that continually produces bile and helps digestion by supplying enzymes.

Pancreas

Organ that produces pancreatic juice which breaks down carbohydrates, proteins and fat. It is also the organ that produces insulin.

Gall Bladder

Organ that stores and releases the bile from the liver to the small intestine.

Chyme

Liquified paste of food after being digested in the stomach.

Bolus

The moistened ball-like mass of food after chewing.

Peristalsis

A series of muscle contractions which moves food down the esphagus.

Mechanical Digestion

Type of digestion that involves chewing and churning.

Chemical Digestion

Type of digestion that breaks down food by enzymes and chemicals.

Pyloric Sphincter

The opening at the bottom of the stomach which opens and closes, controlling the chyme released to the small intestine.

Cardiac Sphincter

The point of connection between the esophagus and the stomach.

Amylase

An enzyme in saliva that breaks down starch and moistens food.

Epiglottis

A flap/trapdoor which prevents food from entering the trachea.

Nerve tissue

Specialized tissue that conducts electrical signals from one part of the body to another.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that has tightly packed cells that covers body surfaces and lines internal organs.

Muscle tissue

A group of specialized tissues containing proteins that can contract and enable the body to move.

Connective tissue

A specialized tissue that provides support and protection for various parts of the body.

Villi

Tiny finger like structures that allow the diffusion of nutrients into the blood from the small intestine.

Insulin

Enzyme that regulates the concentration of glucose in the blood.

Feces

Solid undigested matter after the extraction of water and vitamins.

Diabetes

When the pancreas produces too much or too little insulin.

Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease (GERD) (Heartburn)

Disease when the acid in your stomach moves up into the esophagus which chemically burns the proteins in the muscles.

Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)

Infection in the intestine that affects the way the intestines produces waste.

Bile

Chemical fluid that breaks down large molecules of fat into energy for the body.