Digestive System Overview

Front

What is the primary function of the mouth in digestion?

Back

Ingests food, chews and mixes food, begins chemical breakdown of carbohydrates, and moves food into the pharynx.

Front

What enzyme does saliva secrete to convert starch to maltose?

Back

Ptyalin or salivary amylase.

Front

What are the three types of salivary glands?

Back

Parotid glands, submaxillary gland, and sublingual glands.

Front

What is chewed food called?

Back

Bolus.

Front

What is the role of the esophagus in digestion?

Back

Propels food from the oral cavity to the stomach.

Front

What is peristalsis?

Back

A rhythmic, wavelike muscular action that pushes food down the alimentary canal.

Front

What occurs in the stomach during digestion?

Back

Mixes and churns food with gastric juices to form chyme and begins chemical breakdown of proteins.

Front

What is chyme?

Back

The partial product retained in the stomach being transferred to the small intestine.

Front

What are the three major parts of the small intestine?

Back

Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Front

What is the function of the liver in digestion?

Back

Produces bile salts, processes and stores nutrients, detoxifies substances, and produces some hormones.