Bio - Digestive System

Ingestion

The process of taking in food through the mouth.

Mechanical Digestion

The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces through chewing and churning.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of food molecules into simpler compounds by enzymes and acids.

Absorption

The transfer of digested nutrients from the small intestine into the bloodstream.

Elimination

The process of expelling undigested waste from the body via the large intestine, rectum, and anus.

Mouth

The entry point where food is ingested and mechanically processed through chewing.

Salivary Glands

Produce saliva containing enzymes (like amylase) that initiate chemical digestion.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach using peristalsis.

Stomach

A hollow organ that mixes food with gastric juices (acid and enzymes) for both mechanical and chemical digestion.

Gastric Glands

Cells in the stomach lining that secrete hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen (which converts to pepsin for protein digestion).

Small Intestine

The primary site for digestion and nutrient absorption, divided into three sections.

Duodenum

The first section of the small intestine where chyme mixes with bile and pancreatic enzymes.

Jejunum

The middle section of the small intestine where most nutrient absorption occurs.

Ileum

The final section of the small intestine that absorbs remaining nutrients and bile salts.

Pancreas

Produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine.

Liver

Produces bile that emulsifies fats to aid in their digestion.

Gallbladder

Stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the duodenum as needed.

Large Intestine

Absorbs water and electrolytes and forms feces from undigested food.

Rectum and Anus

The rectum temporarily stores feces and the anus expels waste from the body.

Assimilation

The conversion of absorbed nutrients into energy, cellular building blocks, and other necessary compounds.

Nutrient Distribution

The transport of assimilated nutrients via the bloodstream to cells throughout the body.

Feeding Mechanisms

Strategies by which organisms acquire and process food, including diverse methods of ingestion and digestion.

Extracellular Digestion

Digestion that occurs in a digestive cavity outside of cells, typical of organisms with a complete digestive system.

Intracellular Digestion

Digestion that takes place within cells, common in simpler or single-celled organisms.

Complete Digestive System

A system with two separate openings (mouth and anus) that ensures unidirectional food flow and efficient nutrient extraction.

Incomplete Digestive System

A simpler system with a single opening for both ingestion and elimination, found in some invertebrates.

Ingestion

The process of taking in food through the mouth.

Mechanical Digestion

The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces through chewing and churning.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of food molecules into simpler compounds by enzymes and acids.

Absorption

The transfer of digested nutrients from the small intestine into the bloodstream.

Elimination

The process of expelling undigested waste from the body via the large intestine, rectum, and anus.

Mouth

The entry point where food is ingested and mechanically processed through chewing.

Salivary Glands

Produce saliva containing enzymes (like amylase) that initiate chemical digestion.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach using peristalsis.

Stomach

A hollow organ that mixes food with gastric juices (acid and enzymes) for both mechanical and chemical digestion.

Gastric Glands

Cells in the stomach lining that secrete hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen (which converts to pepsin for protein digestion).

Small Intestine

The primary site for digestion and nutrient absorption, divided into three sections.

Duodenum

The first section of the small intestine where chyme mixes with bile and pancreatic enzymes.

Jejunum

The middle section of the small intestine where most nutrient absorption occurs.

Ileum

The final section of the small intestine that absorbs remaining nutrients and bile salts.

Pancreas

Produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine.

Liver

Produces bile that emulsifies fats to aid in their digestion.

Gallbladder

Stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the duodenum as needed.

Large Intestine

Absorbs water and electrolytes and forms feces from undigested food.

Rectum and Anus

The rectum temporarily stores feces and the anus expels waste from the body.

Assimilation

The conversion of absorbed nutrients into energy, cellular building blocks, and other necessary compounds.

Nutrient Distribution

The transport of assimilated nutrients via the bloodstream to cells throughout the body.

Feeding Mechanisms

Strategies by which organisms acquire and process food, including diverse methods of ingestion and digestion.

Extracellular Digestion

Digestion that occurs in a digestive cavity outside of cells, typical of organisms with a complete digestive system.

Intracellular Digestion

Digestion that takes place within cells, common in simpler or single-celled organisms.

Complete Digestive System

A system with two separate openings (mouth and anus) that ensures unidirectional food flow and efficient nutrient extraction.

Incomplete Digestive System

A simpler system with a single opening for both ingestion and elimination, found in some invertebrates.