Digestive System Flashcard

Front

Which organ churns food and uses acid and enzymes to break down food?

Back

Stomach: The organ responsible for mixing food with digestive juices, breaking it down into a semi-liquid form.

Front

This organ absorbs water from digested food.

Back

Large Intestine: The part of the digestive system that absorbs water and forms waste.

Front

The involuntary muscular movement of food caused by smooth muscle is called?

Back

Peristalsis: The wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Front

This organ produces several enzymes that chemically break down food and regulate blood sugar, food does not pass through this organ.

Back

Pancreas: An organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin.

Front

What is the function of the teeth and tongue?

Back

Mechanical Digestion: The process of physically breaking down food into smaller pieces.

Front

What is the primary function of the esophagus?

Back

Transport food from the mouth to the stomach through peristalsis.

Front

What role do villi play in the small intestine?

Back

Villi increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.

Front

What is the function of bile in digestion?

Back

Bile helps emulsify fats, making them easier to digest and absorb.

Front

What is the role of the liver in digestion?

Back

The liver produces bile and processes nutrients absorbed from the small intestine.

Front

What is the difference between chemical and mechanical digestion?

Back

Chemical digestion involves breaking down food with enzymes, while mechanical digestion involves physically breaking food into smaller pieces.