NLN Science Review: Anatomy &
Physiology
Mechanical digestion - Answer-Breaking down food into smaller pieces by chewing (masticating).
Chewing breaks down food increasing the surface area which makes it easier to swallow and digest
Chemical digestion - Answer-Breaking nutrients into small molecules; sped up by the action of digestive
enzymes (hydrolases).
Hydrolysis - Answer-Splitting molecules by adding water. The process by which chemical digestion occurs
Anus - Answer-Located at the end of the digestive tract; exit for solid food waste
Alimentary canal - Answer-To be extending between the mouth and anus. Organize into specialize
reasons that carry out specific phases of the digestive process. These phases are mechanical digestion,
chemical digestion, and absorption.
Accessory organs of the alimentary canal - Answer-Liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
Salivary Glands - Answer-Releases saliva when stimulated by food. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase
Amylase - Answer-Enzyme found in saliva below that breaks down starch into smaller carbohydrate
molecules (monosaccharides and disaccharides)
Pharynx - Answer-The throat; leads to esophagus and windpipe
, Esophagus - Answer-Food pipe
Epiglottis - Answer-Prevents food from entering the respiratory system by closing during swallowing
Peristalsis - Answer-Involuntary muscle contractions
Gastric juice - Answer-Released from the lining of the stomach, made up of hydrochloric acid and
proteases (protein digesting enzymes)
Chyme - Answer-The liquid resulting one the stomach mixes partially digested food
Small Intestine - Answer-Where chyme is released and most of the digestion of food takes place. Can be
up to 6 m long humans.
Pyloric sphincter - Answer-Muscle separating the stomach from the small intestine that allows calling
into the small intestine in a series of small portions
Liver - Answer-Produces bile
Gallbladder - Answer-Stores bile
Bile - Answer-Helps in the breakdown of fats
Pancreas - Answer-Supplies a number of enzymes needed for digestion.
Physiology
Mechanical digestion - Answer-Breaking down food into smaller pieces by chewing (masticating).
Chewing breaks down food increasing the surface area which makes it easier to swallow and digest
Chemical digestion - Answer-Breaking nutrients into small molecules; sped up by the action of digestive
enzymes (hydrolases).
Hydrolysis - Answer-Splitting molecules by adding water. The process by which chemical digestion occurs
Anus - Answer-Located at the end of the digestive tract; exit for solid food waste
Alimentary canal - Answer-To be extending between the mouth and anus. Organize into specialize
reasons that carry out specific phases of the digestive process. These phases are mechanical digestion,
chemical digestion, and absorption.
Accessory organs of the alimentary canal - Answer-Liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
Salivary Glands - Answer-Releases saliva when stimulated by food. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase
Amylase - Answer-Enzyme found in saliva below that breaks down starch into smaller carbohydrate
molecules (monosaccharides and disaccharides)
Pharynx - Answer-The throat; leads to esophagus and windpipe
, Esophagus - Answer-Food pipe
Epiglottis - Answer-Prevents food from entering the respiratory system by closing during swallowing
Peristalsis - Answer-Involuntary muscle contractions
Gastric juice - Answer-Released from the lining of the stomach, made up of hydrochloric acid and
proteases (protein digesting enzymes)
Chyme - Answer-The liquid resulting one the stomach mixes partially digested food
Small Intestine - Answer-Where chyme is released and most of the digestion of food takes place. Can be
up to 6 m long humans.
Pyloric sphincter - Answer-Muscle separating the stomach from the small intestine that allows calling
into the small intestine in a series of small portions
Liver - Answer-Produces bile
Gallbladder - Answer-Stores bile
Bile - Answer-Helps in the breakdown of fats
Pancreas - Answer-Supplies a number of enzymes needed for digestion.
