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Digestive System Notes

The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients for energy and growth, consisting of the alimentary canal and accessory organs. The process includes ingestion, mechanical and chemical digestion, absorption of nutrients, transportation, and defecation. Key organs such as the mouth, stomach, and small intestine play vital roles, and common disorders include GERD, IBS, and lactose intolerance.

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3 views4 pages

Digestive System Notes

The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients for energy and growth, consisting of the alimentary canal and accessory organs. The process includes ingestion, mechanical and chemical digestion, absorption of nutrients, transportation, and defecation. Key organs such as the mouth, stomach, and small intestine play vital roles, and common disorders include GERD, IBS, and lactose intolerance.

Uploaded by

cajezer7
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Digestive System Notes

1. Overview of the Digestive System

The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body absorbs

and uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. It consists of a series of organs that work together to

digest food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste.

2. Main Parts of the Digestive System

The digestive system can be divided into two main parts:

- The alimentary canal (gastrointestinal tract): A continuous tube through which food passes,

including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

- Accessory digestive organs: Organs that assist in digestion but are not part of the alimentary canal,

such as the salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

3. Digestive Process Steps

1. Ingestion

Food is taken into the body through the mouth. Saliva, produced by the salivary glands, contains

enzymes (such as amylase) that begin the breakdown of carbohydrates.

2. Mechanical Digestion

- Mouth: Teeth break down food into smaller pieces, increasing surface area for enzyme action.

- Stomach: The stomach churns food into a semi-liquid form called chyme through muscular

contractions.
3. Chemical Digestion

- Stomach: Gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and pepsin, break down proteins.

- Small Intestine: Enzymes from the pancreas (e.g., lipase, amylase, proteases) and bile from the

liver (stored in the gallbladder) aid in digesting fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

4. Absorption

- The small intestine is the main site for nutrient absorption. It has folds, villi, and microvilli that

increase the surface area for absorption.

- Nutrients, including amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, vitamins, and minerals, are absorbed into the

bloodstream or lymphatic system.

5. Transportation of Nutrients

- Absorbed nutrients are transported via the bloodstream to the liver, where they are processed and

then distributed throughout the body.

6. Defecation

- Any undigested food, along with dead cells and waste products, is passed into the large intestine.

- Water is reabsorbed in the colon, and the remaining material is formed into feces and expelled

through the rectum and anus.

4. Key Organs and Their Functions

- Mouth: Begins digestion with mechanical breakdown and chemical digestion of carbohydrates.

- Esophagus: Transports food from the mouth to the stomach via peristalsis (muscular contractions).

- Stomach: Digests proteins and churns food into chyme. The stomach lining secretes gastric acid

and enzymes.

- Small Intestine: The main site for digestion and absorption. It consists of three parts:
- Duodenum: Receives bile and pancreatic juices to further digest food.

- Jejunum: Primary site for nutrient absorption.

- Ileum: Absorbs remaining nutrients and connects to the large intestine.

- Large Intestine: Absorbs water and salts, forming solid waste (feces).

- Cecum: Receives chyme from the small intestine. The appendix is attached here.

- Colon: Divided into four parts:

- Ascending Colon: Absorbs water and salts.

- Transverse Colon: Moves across the abdomen, absorbing water and nutrients.

- Descending Colon: Absorbs more water, forming solid waste.

- Sigmoid Colon: Stores fecal matter until ready to be excreted.

- Rectum: Stores feces until they are excreted.

- Anus: The opening for expelling feces from the body.

- Liver: Produces bile to emulsify fats, detoxifies harmful substances, and stores glycogen.

- Pancreas: Secretes digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the small

intestine.

- Gallbladder: Stores bile and releases it into the small intestine when needed.

5. Enzymes Involved in Digestion

- Salivary amylase: Breaks down starches in the mouth.

- Pepsin: Breaks down proteins in the stomach.

- Pancreatic amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates in the small intestine.

- Lipase: Breaks down fats in the small intestine.

- Proteases: Break down proteins into amino acids.

- Bile: Produced by the liver, emulsifies fats to aid in digestion.

6. Common Digestive Disorders


- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A condition where stomach acid irritates the esophagus.

- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A digestive disorder causing cramping, bloating, and diarrhea.

- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten damages the small

intestine.

- Lactose Intolerance: Difficulty digesting lactose due to insufficient lactase enzyme production.

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