science

• Ingestion


  Intake of food into the body
• Digestion


  Process of mechanical and chemical breakdown in which large molecules are broken down into simpler molecules that the body can absorb
• Absorption


  The process in which digested food materials are absorbed by the cells
• Assimilation


  Transport and use of absorbed nutrients by the cells such as the food's conversion into new protoplasm to provide energy
• Excretion


  Passing of undigested material out of the digestive tract
• Food tube or Digestive Tract


  Made up of organs that food and liquids travel through when they are swallowed, digested, absorbed, and leave the body as feces
• Mouth


  • Organ for the assimilation, entrance of food, the presence of teeth, tongue and salivary glands makes it an valuable organ in this system
• Esophagus


  • Muscular organ that connects the pharynx to the stomach, swallowed food is moved down in this muscle through the process called peristalsis
• Stomach


  • Sack like and the most expandable organ in the food tube, the inner surface is highly folded, allowing it to collapse when empty and expand as food fills it
• Small Intestine


  • 20 feet long and an inch in diameter, presence of various enzymes in this organ allows the final digestion or transformation of food particles in their simplest form, small particles are absorbed in its velvety tissue lining composed of villi, the finger like projections with capillaries and lacteal inside where the nutrients are absorbed
• Large Intestine


  • Also known as the large bowel, is the last part of the gastrointestinal tract and of the digestive system in vertebrates
• Accessory Organs


  Responsible for releasing enzymes that help in the chemical digestion of food
• Salivary Glands


  • Producing saliva containing the enzymes amylase which digests amylose or starch, there are three pairs salivary glands in the mouth
• The Liver and Gall bladder


  • Recycles the dead blood cells into bile, bile is stored in the gall bladder and used to emulsify or soften fats components of the food before it is finally digested by the enzyme lipase
• Pancreas


  • Releases pancreatic juice which contains carbohydrases (transforms complex carbohydrates into simple sugar or monosaccharide), proteinases (transforms the complex molecules of proteins into amino acids), and lipases (transforms the complex molecules of fats into fatty acids)
• Constipation


  Refers to irregular or infrequent defecation characterized by dry feces or stool, can be caused by low fiber diet, lack of exercise or prolonged use of certain medical drugs
• Diarrhea


  A disorder characterized by frequent watery fecal excretion, may lead to dehydration and weakened body especially for infants, children and elderly
• Peptic Ulcer


  Refers to the sores that occur in the mucous lining of the stomach or intestines
• Carbohydrates


  Provide you with energy for daily tasks and are the primary fuel source for your brain's high energy demands, fiber is a special type of carb that helps promote good digestive health and may lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes
• Proteins


  Digestion of food (enzymes), coordination of organs (hormones), builds muscles and tissues, protection against pathogens (immunoglobulins)
• Fats


  Storing energy, insulation and protection, aiding absorption