Chapter 15 - BIO 110

Function of gastrointestinal tract

Tract into which several accessory glands release their secretions

Structure of gastrointestinal tract

Begins at the mouth and includes the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine

Mechanical digestion of GI tract

Physical breaking of food into smaller pieces

Chemical digestion of GI tract

Breaking of chemical bonds so that complex molecules are broken into smaller subunits

Hard palate

Toward the front, reinforced with bone

Soft palate

Toward the back, muscle only, prevent food from entering nasal cavities during swallowing

Function of the mouth

Begins mechanical and chemical digestion, monitors food quality, prepares (moistens and manipulates) food for swallowing

Function of the teeth

Mechanical digestion breaks food into smaller pieces

Incisors – clip and slice

Canines – puncture and tear

Molars and premolars - crush

Structure of the teeth

Crown – above the gum

Root – below the gum

Layers of the teeth

Pulp – innermost, with blood vessels and nerves

Dentin – hard bonelike

Enamel – nonliving, covers crown

Three parts of the salivary glands

Sublingual (below tongue, submandibular (below jaw), parotid (in front of ears)

How is saliva released into the mouth?

Water moistens food, mucus binds food, salivary amylase begins chemical digestion of starch

Tongue

Large skeletal muscle

Movement important in speech and food manipulation

Pharynx

Passageway shared by respiratory and digestive systems

Esophagus

Muscular tube that transports food from pharynx to stomach

Structure of the stomach

J shaped expandable sac

Band of circular muscle guards opening at each end

Wall had three layers of smooth muscle

Functions of the stomach

Stores food and regulates its release to the small intestine

Liquefies food

Begins chemical digestion of proteins

Gastric glands

Some secret hydrochloric acid and some secrete intrinsic factor

How does the stomach protect itself from gastric juice?

Mucus, pepsin produced in an inactive form, neural and hormonal mechanism that time release of gastric juice to coincide with food entering stomach, stomach lining replaced rapidly

Structure of the small intestines

Duodenum, jejunum, ileum

Functions of the small intestines

Chemical digestion and absorption

Chemical digestion of small intestines

Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and nucleic acids are broken down into their simplest forms with aids in digestion and absorption of fats

How does the surface area of the small intestines increase?

Pleated lining, villi, microvilli

Pancreatic juice

Contains many digestive enzymes and bicarbonate ions

Drains from pancreas into pancreatic duct which fuses with the common bile duct before entering small intestine

Liver

Largest internal organ

Produces bile, regulates blood glucose levels, packages lipids with proteins to form lipoproteins, which aid transport in the blood

Structure and Function of Gallbladder

Structure – muscular pear-shaped sac

Function – stores, modifies, and concentrates bile produced by the liver

Structure and Function of Large Intestines

Structure – cecum, colon, rectum, anal canal

Functions – absorbs most of the water remaining in the indigestible food residue, stores and eliminates feces

Regions of large intestine

cecum, colon, rectum, anal canal

Structure and Function of Colon

Structure - Pouch at junction of small and large intestines

Function – absorbs water and ions, contains beneficial bacteria that produce vitamins

How does nerves and hormones aid in digestion?

Processes that are quick or anticipatory are controlled by the nervous system

Processes that can take more time are controlled by hormones

Nutrients

Substances in food that provides energy, becomes part of a structure, or performs a function in growth, maintenance or repair

Lipids

Provide nine calories per gram

Include fats, oils, and cholesterol

Carbohydrates

Provide four calories per gram

Proteins

Provide four calories per gram

Chains of amino acids

Vitamins

Needed in very small amounts, serve as enzyme or coenzyme

Minerals

Inorganic substances needed for a variety of life processes

Food label

Can help you choose foods that will help you increase nutrients that are important to consume and limit those that could be harmful

Energy balance

Basal metabolic rate: the minimal energy needed to keep an awake, resting person alive

Obesity

Weighing more than height-weight charts recommend because of too much body fat