Digestive System and Endocrine System Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to the digestive and excretory systems, as well as the endocrine system.

Digestive System

The system responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food.

Alimentary Canal

The digestive tract that runs from the mouth to the anus; a passage of digestive organs.

Ingestion

The process of taking food into the body via eating.

Absorption

The process by which digested food molecules are taken into the bloodstream.

Egestion

The elimination of undigested food as waste material from the body.

Mechanical Digestion

The physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller ones.

Chemical Digestion

The process by which enzymes break down complex biomolecules into simpler forms.

Pepsin

An enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.

Amylase

An enzyme that breaks down starch into simple sugars; produced by salivary glands.

Villi

Small finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

Cecum

The beginning of the large intestine, connected to the ileum and housing bacteria for digestion.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions within an organism.

Hormones

Chemical transmitters released by glands that regulate various body functions.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney that filters blood and forms urine.

Filtration

The process of separating waste products from blood in the nephron's Bowman’s capsule.

Selective Reabsorption

The process by which certain substances are reabsorbed back into the blood in the nephrons.

Excretion

The process of removing waste products from the body.

Sphincter

A muscle that controls the passage of substances through an opening in the body.

Chyme

The soupy mixture of partially digested food in the stomach.

Gastric Juices

Digestive fluids secreted by the stomach that contain enzymes and acid for digestion.

Peristalsis

Muscular contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Excretory System

The system responsible for removing waste and maintaining water and mineral balance.

Urethra

The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.