Name: Jennifer Jassiel

Surnames: Paredes Carrera

Registration: 100656427

Section: w01
Teacher: Magdalena soto

Theme: The Digestive System

 THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

1. Overview of the Digestive System:

- What is the primary function of the digestive system?

Its function is to process food and liquids into substances that the body uses as
an energy source, or for tissue growth and repair.
- How does the digestive system differ between animals and plants?
The digestive systems of animals and plants are quite different due to the
different ways they obtain nutrients and energy.
Animals have specialized digestive systems to break down food and extract
nutrients, while plants obtain nutrients through photosynthesis and the
absorption of nutrients from the soil through their roots, without having a
digestive system like that of animals.

2. The Process of Digestion:

- Describe the journey of food through the digestive system, starting

from the mouth.
The journey of food through the digestive system begins in the mouth and
follows a specific path until it is eliminated from the body:

 Mouth: Digestion begins in the mouth. The teeth tear and grind food,
while saliva, which contains enzymes such as amylase, begins to break
down carbohydrates. The chewed food forms the bolus.

 Pharynx: The bolus is swallowed and passes into the pharynx, a tube
shared by the respiratory and digestive systems.

 Esophagus: From the pharynx, the bolus moves into the esophagus, a
muscular tube that carries food to the stomach through muscular
contractions called peristaltic movements.
  Stomach: Once in the stomach, food mixes with digestive acids and
enzymes, such as hydrochloric acid and pepsin, to further break down
nutrients. Here chyme, a semi-liquid mixture, is formed.

 Small Intestine: Chyme passes into the small intestine, where it mixes with
pancreatic enzymes, bile from the liver, and intestinal enzymes. Most
nutrient absorption (such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins and
minerals) occurs in the small intestine through the intestinal villi, structures
that increase the absorption surface.

 Large Intestine: What remains after the absorption of nutrients passes to

the large intestine, where water is absorbed and feces are formed.

 Rectum and Anus: Feces are stored in the rectum and are eliminated from
the body through the anus in a process called defecation.

This route ensures that nutrients are extracted from the food while waste is
prepared for disposal.
- What is the role of enzymes in the digestive process?
They are produced specifically to help break down carbohydrates, fats and
proteins in food so that our body can absorb the nutrients.
3. Mechanical and Chemical Phases:

- Differentiate between the mechanical and chemical phases of

digestion.
Mechanical digestion: It is carried out by the teeth and the muscles of the
digestive tract and in this process the food is broken into small pieces. Weak
intermolecular bonds are broken. Chemical digestion: It is produced thanks to
saliva, gastric fluids and other digestive secretions that contain enzymes.
 - Where does most of the chemical digestion occur in the human body?

Stomach Glands located in the lining of the stomach produce stomach acids and
enzymes that chemically break down food. The stomach muscles mix the food
with these digestive juices.

4. Role of Different Organs:

- What is the function of the stomach in digestion?
The stomach helps digest food by mixing it with digestive juices, turning it into a
dilute liquid.

- Explain the roles of the liver and pancreas in digestion.

The pancreas supplies digestive juice to the small intestine through small tubes
called ducts that help break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The liver
produces a digestive juice called bile that helps digest fats and some vitamins.
5. Digestive Tract and Accessory Organs:
- Describe the structure of the alimentary canal.

The alimentary canal, also known as the digestive tract or gastrointestinal system,
is a long tube that extends from the mouth to the anus and is responsible for the
digestion and absorption of food and liquids. It is made up of several layers that
give it resistance and allow it to function properly:

 Mucosa: It is the innermost layer of the alimentary tube and is in direct

contact with food. It is made up of epithelium and connective tissue. It
contains glands that secrete mucus, enzymes and acids to aid in digestion
and protect the wall of the digestive tract.
 Submucosa: This layer is beneath the mucosa and contains blood vessels,
lymphatic vessels, nerves, and glands. Its main function is to transport
absorbed nutrients into the bloodstream and regulate the activity of glands
in the mucosa.
 Muscular: The muscular layer consists of smooth muscles arranged in two
layers: an internal circular layer and an external longitudinal layer. These
muscles perform peristaltic movements, undulating contractions that push
food along the digestive tract.
  Serosa (or adventitia): It is the outermost layer in most parts of the
digestive tract. It is composed of connective tissue and, in the abdominal
regions, it is covered by a serous membrane (peritoneum) that helps
lubricate and protect the organs of the abdomen.
- Which organs are part of the digestive tract, and which are considered
accessory organs?
The digestive tract or gastrointestinal system is made up of a series of organs that
play specific roles in the digestion and absorption of food. The main organs of
the digestive tract are:

Main Organs:

 Mouth
 Pharynx
 Esophagus
 Stomach
 Small intestine
 Large intestine

Accessory Organs:

 Liver
 Gallbladder
 Pancreas
These organs work together to ensure proper digestion, absorption of nutrients,
and elimination of waste. Coordination between them is essential for an efficient
and effective digestive process.

6.Nutrient Absorption and Waste Excretion:

- Where in the digestive system does most nutrient absorption occur?

The small intestine absorbs most of the nutrients in food and the circulatory
system passes them to other parts of the body for storage or use.
 - How are waste products excreted from the body?

The organs related to excretion are the kidneys, lungs, sweat glands and liver.
They excrete waste substances through urine, sweat and feces.

7. Enzymes and Glands:

- What are the functions of salivary glands and the enzymes they
produce?

Salivary glands produce saliva, which moistens the mouth to help a person chew
and swallow food. Saliva also contains substances (enzymes) that start the
breakdown of food.
- Identify the enzymes secreted by the gastric glands and their roles.
The gastric glands, present in the lining of the stomach, secrete various enzymes
and substances essential for the digestive process. The main enzymes secreted by
these glands and their functions are:

 Pepsin: This enzyme is essential in the breakdown of proteins. It works by

catalyzing the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in proteins, converting them
into smaller fragments called peptides. Pepsin functions in an acidic
environment, typical of the stomach, and is one of the main digestive
enzymes for the digestion of proteins.
 Gastric lipase: Although its activity is limited due to the acidic
environment of the stomach, gastric lipase helps in the breakdown of
some fats.
 Intrinsic factor: It is not an enzyme, but it is a glycoprotein essential for
the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine. It is secreted in the
stomach and binds to vitamin B12 to protect it and facilitate its absorption
later in the digestive process.
These enzymes and compounds secreted by the gastric glands are crucial for
protein digestion and, to a lesser extent, fat digestion. Additionally, intrinsic
factor plays a key role in the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine.
8. Digestion in the Mouth:

- Explain the process of digestion that occurs in the mouth.

Digestion begins in the mouth and begins with chewing and mixing food with
saliva. The digestion process in the mouth involves several steps:

 Chewing: Teeth cut and grind food into smaller pieces, increasing the
contact surface and facilitating the action of digestive enzymes. Chewing
also mixes food with saliva, making it easier to swallow and expose you to
salivary enzymes.
 Saliva: Salivary glands produce saliva, which contains water, mucin (to
lubricate food), mineral salts, and enzymes, primarily salivary amylase.
Amylase is an enzyme that begins the breakdown of complex
carbohydrates (such as starch) into simpler sugars, such as maltose and
glucose.
 Amylase action: Salivary amylase begins to break down the carbohydrate
bonds in the molecular structure of starch. Although the action of amylase
is limited in the mouth due to the short contact time and neutral pH, it is
the first step in carbohydrate digestion.
 Formation of the cud: The mixture of chewed food, saliva and enzymes
forms the cud, a semi-liquid mass that forms in the mouth and is easier to
swallow.
In summary, in the mouth, mechanical chewing together with the action of
salivary amylase initiates the breakdown of carbohydrates, preparing food for the
next step in the digestive system: passage through the pharynx and then into the
esophagus to continue the process. digestive process in the stomach.

- How does the body prevent food from entering the windpipe during
swallowing?
When a person swallows, the epiglottis folds back to cover the entrance to the
larynx, so that solid and liquid food does not enter the trachea and lungs.
9. Comparative Analysis:

- How does the human digestive system compare to that of other

animals in terms of complexity and efficiency?

 Humans: We have a highly specialized digestive system with specific

organs for particular functions, such as the mouth for chewing, the
stomach for chemical digestion, the small intestine for nutrient absorption,
and the large intestine for water absorption and formation. of feces.
Additionally, we have accessory glands such as the liver and pancreas that
produce enzymes and other compounds essential for digestion.
 Herbivorous animals: They tend to have more complex digestive systems
that allow them to break down and extract nutrients from difficult-to-
digest plant materials, such as cellulose. For example, ruminants have
multiple chambers in their stomach that allow for prolonged fermentation
to break down cellulose with the help of symbiotic bacteria.
 Carnivorous animals: They have digestive systems adapted for the
digestion of proteins and fats. They usually have simple stomachs and a
shorter digestive tract compared to herbivores.

Digestive system efficiency:

 Humans: Our digestive system is highly efficient in absorbing nutrients.

The small intestine has a large absorptive surface area due to intestinal villi
and microvilli, allowing for effective absorption of nutrients.
 Specialized animals: In some animals, efficiency lies in their ability to
digest difficult-to-process materials. For example, in ruminants, bacterial
fermentation in the cecum or hindgut allows them to obtain nutrients
from cellulose.
In general, although the human digestive system is highly specialized and efficient
at absorbing a wide range of nutrients, other animals have specialized adaptations
that allow them to process specific diets highly efficiently. The complexity and
efficiency of the digestive system vary significantly depending on the dietary and
evolutionary needs of each animal species.
10. Practical Application:

- Based on your understanding, suggest ways to maintain a healthy

digestive system.

 Balanced diet: Eating a diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
and fermented foods (such as yogurt) can promote digestive health. Fiber
helps maintain regularity and balance of intestinal flora.

 Hydration: Drinking enough water is crucial for good digestive health.

Water aids in digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste removal.

 Control stress: Stress can affect the digestive system.

 Moderation in alcohol and tobacco use: Alcohol abuse and smoking can
irritate the lining of the digestive tract, cause inflammation and increase
the risk of digestive diseases.

 Regular exercise: Regular exercise can improve digestive health

 Chew properly: Proper chewing helps in digestion by breaking down food

before it reaches the stomach, facilitating the digestive process.

 Avoid very large meals

 Regular Doctor Visits