3.4- shortened edition

• Homeostatic mechanisms


  Processes in living organisms that maintain stable internal conditions necessary for survival, such as body temperature, blood glucose levels, and water balance
• Type 1 diabetes


  A chronic condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels
• Hyperthyroidism


  A condition where the thyroid gland produces an excess of thyroid hormone, leading to symptoms like weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and sweating
• Mechanical digestion


  Physical break down of food into smaller pieces to increase surface area
• Chemical digestion


  Chemical reactions that change food into simpler substances that are absorbed
• Alimentary Canal


  An open tube from mouth to anus consisting of various structures
• Layers of the alimentary canal

  • Serosa
  • Muscularis
  • Mucosa
  • Lumen
• Epithelial tissue


  • Protects, absorbs and secretes
• Connective tissue


  • Structural support, blood and lymph supply
• Smooth muscle


  • Chaining of blood and contraction of food along tract
• Accessory organs


  • Solid organs that release secretions, enzymes and hormones into alimentary canal
• Mouth


  Food enters the digestive system, gets chewed, and mixed with saliva for digestion initiation
• Esophagus


  Muscular tube moving chewed food from the mouth to the stomach through contractions
• Stomach


  Food breakdown by acids and enzymes into chyme, a semi-liquid mixture
• Small Intestine


  Main site for nutrient absorption, aided by pancreatic enzymes and liver bile
• Large Intestine (Colon)


  Absorbs water and electrolytes, forms feces for elimination
• Liver and Pancreas


  Liver produces bile for fat digestion, pancreas produces enzymes for carb, protein, and fat digestion
• Rectum and Anus


  Rectum stores feces until elimination through the anus in defecation process