Liam Alford

Explain the role of the following organs in the digestive system The mouth and salivary glands
Salivary glands are in the mouth below the tongue and back of the mouth, this produces saliva, when food is in your mouth they release an enzyme called amylase, which starts the break up of foods.

The Oesophagus
This is 25cm long and allows you to swallow; the muscles along the Oesophagus tighten and then relax In a downward movement to force the food to the stomach.

The Stomach
The stomach is a muscular organ which is located on the left side of the upper abdomen, the food is received from the Oesophagus, where the food has already began to dissolve. The stomach then releases secrete acids and enzymes which dissolve the food fully; it then passes through the Pyloric sphincter which connects the stomach to the Small intestines.

The Pancreas
The pancreas is approximately 6 inches long, located in the upper abdomen Completes the job of breaking down protein, carbohydrates, and fats using digestive juices of pancreas combined with juices from the intestines. Secretes hormones that affect the level of sugar in the blood. Produces chemicals that neutralize stomach acids that pass from the stomach into the small intestine by using substances in pancreatic juice. Contains Islets of Langerhans, which are tiny groups of specialized cells that are scattered throughout the organ.

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These cells secrete: Glucagonraises the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood Insulinstimulates cells to use glucose Somatostatinmay regulate the secretion of glucagons and insulin.

The Liver
The liver is the largest glandular organ of the body. It weighs about 3 lb. (1.36 kg). The liver lies on the right side of the abdomen. Blood is carried to the liver via two large vessels called the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The heptic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the aorta The portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine The liver is the chemical factory of the body. It performs many important jobs including Storing some digested foods (nutrients) Converting fat to energy when the body needs it Producing bile Making blood proteins Helping the blood to clot Making other chemicals the body needs Breaking down harmful substances

The small Intestine

The small intestine is responsible for removing nutrients from food and bringing water and electrolytes in the body. It also moves food through a specific part of the digestive tract, into the large intestine. There are three sections of the small intestine. They are classified Ileum Jejunum Duodenum. The intestine moves food along after it is received by the stomach by peristalsis, which occurs when the muscles along the sides of the intestine contract in a rolling motion to push material in a direction. Food, in general, leaves the small intestine after a period of about a half an hour.

The large Intestine

This is the thick, lower end of the digestive system, containing the appendix, colon and rectum. Its main function is to reabsorb water and maintain the fluid balance of the body. Certain vitamins are also taken in through the intestinal wall. The other functions are; Pass useless waste material from the body through the anus. Absorb vitamins through the intestinal wall.

The Colon
the colon is part of the digestive system, the system that nourishes and protects our bodies. It comes after the small intestine (into which food from the stomach flows) and before the rectum (in which stools are stored before being excreted through the anus). The colon is about five feet (1.5 meters) long and 2.5 inches in diameter. The functions are; Absorb essential vitamins and vital salts, (most nutrients are absorbed by the intestines, but the colon absorbs the most important ones). To eliminate waste (the colon pushes the waste materials through to the

Liam Alford
rectum where the waste is then deposited). It defends the body from toxins. The colon can be damaged through unhealthy diets

The rectum
The main function of the rectum is to act as a temporary storage site for waste material, before it is eliminated from the body through the anal. The rectum is made up of muscular walls that are able to expand to hold material waste. With this expansion of the rectum, nerves in the area send signals to the brain that you need to have a bowel movement and muscles in and around the anal canal control the action.

The Bladder
The bladder is a sort of pouch found in the end of the genitourinary tract. Its function is to retain the urine of the body until it can be released to the urethra and out of the body The bladder is a hollow muscular organ that acts as a reservoir for urine. The adult bladder can hold a pint or more of fluid. It lies behind the pubic bone and is protected by the pelvis.

The Gaul bladder

The gallbladder is a hollow system that sits just beneath the liver.[2] In adults, the gallbladder measures approximately 8 centimetres (3.1 in) in length and 4 centimetres (1.6 in) in diameter when fully distended. At the neck of the gall bladder is present a mucosal fold called Hartmann's pouch, where gallstones commonly get stuck.

Liam Alford

Explain the role of the following food sources Food Source Carbohydrate s Role
A diet containing an optimum level of carbohydrates may help prevent body fat accumulation. Starch and sugars provide readily accessible fuel for physical performance. Dietary fibre, which is a carbohydrate, helps keep the bowel functioning correctly.

Examples of Food type Bread, Cereal Cheese, Meat, Poultry, Fish, Potatos, Onions, Beans, Asparagus, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Apples, Bananas, Oranges. Meat; Bacon, Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Pork. Pastries Cakes, Doughnuts. Chips, candy, sweets, butter, margarine. Chicken, Fish, Pork, Eggs, cheese, Beans, nuts, Seeds. All types of fruit; Oranges, Apples, bananas, mangos etc.

Fats

Fats are important for many forms of life, serving both structural and metabolic functions. They are an important part of the diet of most heterotrophs (including humans). Fats or lipids are broken down in the body by enzymes called lipases produced in the pancreas Proteins vary in structure as well as function. They are constructed from a set of 20 amino acids Antibodies defend the body from germs. Contractile proteins are responsible for movement. Enzymes speed up chemical reactions. Storage proteins store amino acids.

Proteins

Evaluate your own diet Carbohydrates 33%

Fats

27 %

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Proteins

30%

How healthy is your diet? I believe that my diet is healthy as I have different varieties of food ranging from pasta with fried/grilled chicken with some salad to fish and steamed vegetables. I ensure that I have plenty of protein and a slightly less fat but a lot more carbohydrates to provide me with the energy I need.

Does your sport demand any specific diet requirements, if so what physiological changes does this cause? At the moment I do weight training, football and Thai Boxing, so I require plenty of carbohydrates and protein to allow me to perform to the highest standards and still allow myself to recover during my break fro the activities. Carbohydrates are a must, as I need plenty of energy to participate in these.