Nutrition and Digestive System

 
We will learn about the digestive system, digestion, absorption, assimilation, defaecation, balanced diet, a
digestive system and eating habit
 

9.1 Digestive System

 
 The human digestive system is made up of a long and muscular alimentary canal that starts from the
 The other organs in the digestive system are the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
 Salivary, gastric, and intestinal glands secrete digestive juices into the alimentary canal

9.2 Digestion
 
 Physical digestion: A process that involves mechanical action such as chewing action and peristalsi
into small pieces to increase the surface area for the action of digestive enzymes.
 Chemical digestion: The breaking down of complex molecules into simpler molecules to enable th
body cells. The process involves a hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by digestive enzymes.

 
Process of digestion of carbohydrate in the mouth
 
The presence of food in the mouth triggers the salivary glands; parotid gland, sublingual gland, and subma
amylase that digests starch into maltose
 
Process of digestion of protein in the stomach
 
 Mucous cell: Produces mucus to protect the stomach wall from being eroded due to the action of hyd
 Parietal cell: Secretes hydrochloric acid to destroy bacteria and provides an acid medium for pepsin t
 Chief cell: Secretes pepsinogen which is later converted into pepsin in the presence of hydrochlo
polypeptide.

 
Process of digestion of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid in the small intestine
 
 Liver: Produces bile which is stored in the gallbladder.
 Gallbladder: Secretes bile which is channeled to the duodenum by a bile duct.
 Duodenum:
o Pancreatic amylase hydrolyzes starch into maltose
o Lipase hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
o Trypsin hydrolyzes polypeptides into shorter peptides
 Pancreas: Secretes pancreatic amylase, trypsin, and lipase which is channeled to the duodenum by a p
 Small intestine:
o Maltase hydrolyzes maltose into glucose.
 o Lactase hydrolyzes lactose into glucose and galactose.
o Sucrase hydrolyzes sucrose into glucose and fructose.
o Erepsin hydrolyzes peptides into amino acids

9.3 Absorption
 
Adaptive characteristic of villi
 
 Have a very thin wall (one cell thick) that diffusion of food molecule occurs rapidly.
 Have a large surface area (Many folds on internal surface and microvilli).
 Have a dense network of blood capillaries (Efficient transport of food molecules).
 Epithelial cells have a high number of mitochondria(provide energy in nutrient transport).
 Lacteal is for fatty acid and glycerol absorption.

9.4 Assimilation
 
The transport of nutrients by the circulatory system for the assimilation
 
 Glucose, amino acids, water-soluble vitamins, and minerals in all blood capillaries are transported to
transport the nutrients to the liver for the assimilation process.
 The blood circulatory system transports the nutrients from the liver to the body cells for further assimi
 Tiny droplets of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins inside the lacteal are transported to the lymphatic vess
 The nutrients will enter the circulatory system at the subclavian vein to be transported to the body cell

 
Functions of the liver
 
 Detoxification: Liver cells remove toxic substances from the blood.
 Synthesis of plasma protein: Amino acids are used for the synthesis of plasma protein and enzymes.
 Storage of nutrients: Convert glucose into glycogen to be stored.

9.5 Defaecation
 
Faeces formed in the large intestine

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Undigested materials and excretory materials are moved by peristalsis

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In the colon, water is absorbed making the feces more solid
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Colon secretes mucus to bind the feces and lubricate the feces movement.

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Feces stored temporarily in the rectum

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Defecation reflex causes contraction of the rectal muscle and relaxes the internal anal
 
 

9.6 Balanced Diet

 
 A balanced diet is a diet consisting of seven classes of food and taken in a correct proportion to m
body.
 The importance of a balanced diet:
o Provide energy for various activities 
o Maintain a healthy life

9.7 Health Issues Related to the Digestive System and Eating Habits
 
 Gastric bypass is one of the treatments recommended by specialist doctors to lose weight in additio
exercise programs.
 Gastric bypass involved reducing the size of the stomach by using the surgery method.
 Short-term side effects of surgery include acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, enlarged esophagus, and risk
 Long-term side effects include dizziness, low sugar levels, malnutrition, stomach ulcer, and digestive

 
Health issues related to eating habits:

 Gastritis: Inflammation and damage to the stomach epithelial layer caused by the action of hydrochlo
 Anorexia nervosa: An eating disorder whereby an individual always restricts him or herself from eat
be thin.
 Bulimia nervosa: An eating disorder characterized by excessive food intake followed by vomiting.
 Muscle dysmorphia: A psychological disorder whereby an individual always feels that he or she is to