The digestive system is a complex and essential physiological system responsible for breaking down food into nutrients that can be absorbed and used by the body. It involves a series of organs and processes that work together to facilitate the digestion and absorption of nutrients.
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Key components and functions of the digestive system:
- Mouth: The digestive process begins in the mouth, where food is ingested and mechanically broken down by chewing. Salivary glands produce saliva, which contains enzymes that start the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates.
- Esophagus: The chewed food, now called a bolus, is then pushed down the esophagus through rhythmic contractions called peristalsis. The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach.
- Stomach: The stomach is a muscular organ that further breaks down the bolus through mechanical churning and mixes it with gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and enzymes like pepsin. This acidic environment helps to break down proteins.
- Small Intestine: The partially digested food, now called chyme, moves into the small intestine. The small intestine is where most of the digestion and nutrient absorption occur. The walls of the small intestine are lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi and microvilli, which greatly increase the surface area for absorption. Enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver aid in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
- Pancreas: The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine to further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It also produces bicarbonate to neutralize the acidic chyme entering from the stomach.
- Liver and Gallbladder: The liver produces bile, a substance that helps emulsify fats and increase their surface area for digestion. Bile is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine when needed.
- Large Intestine (Colon): The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from the remaining undigested food, forming feces. Beneficial bacteria in the colon also help ferment certain indigestible carbohydrates, producing gases and some nutrients like vitamin K.
- Rectum and Anus: Fecal material is stored in the rectum until it is ready to be eliminated from the body through the anus.
Digestive system MCQs
Q1. In human body most of the digestive process, takes place in
(a) Pancreas
(b) Large intestine
(c) Small intestine
(d) Stomach
Q2. Which of the following is digested with the help of saliva?
(a) Protein
(b) Starch
(c) Fibre
(d) None of the above
Q3. Enzyme is a
(a) Vitamin
(b) Bacterium
(c) Bio-catalyst
(d) Virus
Q4. Enzymes are basically –
(a) Fats
(b) Sugars
(c) Proteins
(d) Vitamins
Q5. The source of the enzyme ‘lipase’ is :
(a) Kidney
(b) Pancreas
(c) Liver
(d) Heart
Q6. Which one of the following is not a digestive enzyme in the human system?
(a) Trypsin
(b) Gastrin
(c) Ptyalin
(d) Pepsin
Q7. In the human body, the digestion of protein begins in which of the following organs?
(a) Liver
(b) Mouth
(c) Small intestine
(d) Stomach
Q8. An enzyme which helps in the digestion of protein is
(a) Urease
(b) Sulfatase
(c) Trypsin
(d) Protease
Q9. Which one of the following enzymes convert proteins into amino acids?
(a) Pepsin
(b) Lactase
(c) Urease
(d) Zymase
Q10. In the human body, which structure is the appendix attached to?
(a) The large intestine
(b) The small intestine
(c) The gallbladder
(d) The stomach
Q11. Extra glucose in body gets converted into glycogen and is stored in
(a) Stomach
(b) Liver
(c) Pancreas
(d) Bile
Q12. The stones present in the human gallbladder primarily aff ect the digestion of
(a) Fats
(b) Proteins
(c) Carbohydrates
(d) Nucleic acids
Q13. Which is the largest gland in the human body?
(a) Liver
(b) Pancreas
(c) Thyroid gland
(d) Stomach
Q14. The largest gland in human body is
(a) Pancreas
(b) Liver
(c) Salivary gland
(d) Adrenal gland
Q15. Bile is produced in which part of the body?
(a) Liver
(b) Spleen
(c) Gallbladder
(d) Pancreas
Q16. Bile is stored in which of the following organ?
(a) Spleen
(b) Pancreas
(c) Appendix
(d) Gallbladder
Q17. What is the purpose of the enzyme amylase in digestion?
a) Breaking down proteins
b) Breaking down fats
c) Breaking down carbohydrates
d) Breaking down nucleic acids
Q18. What is the function of the pancreas in the digestive system?
a) Producing bile
b) Producing insulin and digestive enzymes
c) Mixing food with digestive juices
d) Absorbing nutrients
Q19. What is the main function of the large intestine in the digestive process?
a) Nutrient absorption
b) Storing bile
c) Digesting proteins
d) Absorbing water and forming feces
Q20. What is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach and carries food from the mouth to the stomach?
a) Small intestine
b) Esophagus
c) Trachea
d) Large intestine
Q21. Which part of the tooth is responsible for grinding and crushing food?
a) Crown
b) Root
c) Enamel
d) Dentin
Q22. What is the role of bile in digestion?
a) Breaking down proteins
b) Emulsifying fats
c) Breaking down carbohydrates
d) Neutralizing stomach acid
Q23. What is peristalsis?
a) The process of bile production
b) The mixing of food with gastric juices
c) The movement of food through the esophagus and intestines
d) The absorption of water and nutrients in the large intestine
Q24. What is the name of the ring-like muscles that regulate the passage of food through the digestive tract?
a) Sphincters
b) Villi
c) Papillae
d) Alveoli
Q25. What is the final product of carbohydrate digestion?
a) Fatty acids
b) Amino acids
c) Glucose
d) Chylomicrons
What is the digestive system?
The digestive system is a network of organs responsible for breaking down food into nutrients that the body can use. It includes organs like the stomach, small intestine, and liver, working together to ensure proper digestion and absorption.
How does digestion occur?
Digestion involves both mechanical and chemical processes. Food is physically broken down through chewing and churning, while enzymes and acids chemically break down complex molecules into simpler forms for absorption.
Why is the small intestine important?
The small intestine is where most nutrient absorption takes place. Its villi and microvilli increase surface area, aiding in the absorption of nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
What roles do the pancreas and liver play?
The pancreas produces enzymes that aid digestion, while the liver produces bile for fat emulsification. Both contribute to the breakdown of food and regulation of digestion.
What happens if the digestive system malfunctions?
Disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or inflammatory bowel disease can disrupt digestion, leading to discomfort, nutritional deficiencies, and other health problems.