physiology test

What does the nasal cavity

It smells the food and prompts the brain to produce saliva

What does the salivary glands do?

produce saliva, which lubricates food to make swallowing easier. Enzymes are in the salivary glands, enzymes break down the food.

What does an epiglottis do

act as a protective gateway. It folds backward to cover the windpipe (larynx) whenever you swallow, ensuring food and liquids are safely directed into the esophagus

What does an esophagus do

Its primary function is to transport chewed food, liquids, and saliva via rhythmic muscle contractions. It also acts as a one-way valve, keeping food moving forward while preventing harsh stomach acids from flowing backward

What is the name of the rhythmic muscle contractions in your esophagus

Peristalsis

What does peristalsis do

The walls of the esophagus feature layers of muscle that contract in a coordinated, wave-like motion. This involuntary motion pushes the food bolus downward, even if you are lying down or eating upside down.

What does a liver do in the context of digestion

It produces bile to break down fats, filters toxins from nutrient-rich blood arriving directly from the intestines, and processes digested carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into usable energy

What does a stomach do

• Holds food: It expands like a balloon to store your meal.

• Mashes food: Strong muscles squeeze and churn food into a thick liquid.

• Uses acid: Strong stomach acid kills germs and bacteria on your food.

• Breaks down protein: Special juices start digesting foods like meat, eggs, and beans.

• Passes it along: It pushes the liquid food slowly into your intestines.

The stomach does not absorb nutrients from your food. It just chops it up and cleans it so your intestines can absorb the nutrients later.

What does a large intestine do

absorb remaining water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter, turn this liquid waste into solid stool, and house beneficial gut bacteria that produce essential vitamins

What does a small intestine do

The small intestine is the primary workhorse of your digestive system. Its main functions are to chemically break down semi-solid food (chyme), absorb the resulting nutrients and minerals into your bloodstream, and move the remaining waste along to the large intestine

What does a rectum do

act as a temporary storage facility for feces, manage waste evacuation, and maintain bowel continence

What does an anus do

The anus serves as the terminal opening of the entire digestive tract, with its primary function being to control the excretion of solid waste (feces) from the body. It acts as a gateway that stays sealed to keep stool inside and bacteria out, opening only when you choose to evacuate your bowels

What does the digestive system do

Food enters the mouth, where it is mixed with saliva and chewed. It then travels down the esophagus to the stomach, where it is mixed with digestive juices. From the stomach, food moves to the small intestine, where most nutrient absorption occurs. Undigested material then moves to the large intestine, where water is absorbed, and finally to the rectum and anus for elimination.

Why do we need to digest food

We need to digest food to break down large, complex molecules into smaller, simpler molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body for energy, growth, and repair. To break down food into absorbable nutrients for energy and growth

What is the purpose of saliva?

• Saliva moistens food, making it easier to swallow, and contains enzymes that begin the chemical digestion of carbohydrates. It also helps clean the mouth and teeth.

Answer: Saliva moistens food and begins carbohydrate digestion.

• How long is the average small intestine of an adult?

The average length of the adult small intestine is about 6 to 7 meters (20 to 23 feet).

Answer: 6 to 7 meters (20 to 23 feet)

What is peristalsis

• Peristalsis is a series of wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Answer: Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

What is the name of the valve that closes over the trachea to prevent food from entering the lungs?

• The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the opening of the trachea during swallowing.

Answer: Epiglottis.

What are the 3 macronutrients?

The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Give 3 examples of micronutrients

• Examples of micronutrients include vitamins (like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, B vitamins) and minerals (like iron, calcium, zinc).

Answer: Vitamins, minerals, and water.

How does blood flow through the heart and body

Blood flows from the body into the right atrium, then to the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the left atrium, then to the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

Name the 4 components of blood and give a 3-5 word description of their function

Red blood cells: Carry oxygen throughout the body.

• White blood cells: Fight infection and disease.

• Platelets: Help blood clot.

• Plasma: Carries nutrients and waste.

Why do we need blood to flow through our bodies?

Blood flow is essential for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and immune cells to all parts of the body. It also removes waste products like carbon dioxide.

Which blood vessels transport oxygenated blood through the body?

Arteries, specifically the aorta and its branches, transport oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body. The pulmonary veins transport oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

What main purpose do your veins have?

• Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart from all parts of the body.

Answer: Carry deoxygenated blood to heart.

Which blood vessels transport oxygenated blood through the body?

Arteries, specifically the aorta and its branches, transport oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body. The pulmonary veins transport oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Describe the path of air through the airways

Air enters the body through the nasal cavity or mouth and passes through the pharynx, larynx, and trachea. The trachea branches into two bronchi, which lead into the lungs. Inside the lungs, the bronchi further divide into smaller bronchioles, which end in tiny air sacs called alveoli.

Describe the process of ventilation. How does your body draw air in and let it out?

• Ventilation, or breathing, involves the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. When the diaphragm contracts and moves down, and the intercostal muscles lift the rib cage up and out, the chest cavity expands, drawing air into the lungs (inhalation). When these muscles relax, the chest cavity shrinks, pushing air out of the lungs (exhalation).

Answer: Inhalation: Diaphragm contracts, chest expands, air drawn in. Exhalation: Muscles relax, chest shrinks, air pushed out.

How is blood refreshed in the lungs? What is exchanged for carbon dioxide?

• In the alveoli of the lungs, oxygen from the inhaled air diffuses into the blood, and carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled.

Answer: Oxygen enters blood, carbon dioxide leaves.

Why do we need to breathe?

• We need to breathe to take in oxygen, which is essential for cellular respiration to produce energy, and to remove carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration.

Answer: To obtain oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.

How do corrective lenses (glasses) improve someone's vision?

• Corrective lenses adjust the path of light before it enters the eye, compensating for refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness. This ensures the light is focused precisely on the retina, creating a clear image.