Nutrition (I):

the digestive system

1. Introduction
1.1 Obtaining nutrients
2. Anatomy and physiology of the digestive system
3.Digestive system diseases
1. Introduction

• Our body carries out the three life functions: nutrition, interaction and
reproduction
- The nutrition function allows that our cells get the nutrients to get
energy, to grow and to repair the body.
- The nutrition function involves 4 systems:
 The digestive system
 The respiratory system
 The circulatory system
 The excretory system
Once nutrients are obtained, cells use them in chemical reactions known as
metabolic reactions to produce the matter and energy that cells need
Metabolism (set of chemical reactions) consists of two types of reactions:
- Catabolic reactions breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones
- Anabolic reactions  synthesis of complex substances from simpler ones
1.1 Obtaining nutrients

• Obtaining nutrients involves decomposition of food and digestive

enzymes (a type of proteins) are needed. They act on complex molecules
present in food and release their basic comoponents.
• Some important enzimes are:
– Amylase, which breaks down starch and produces monosaccharides
and disaccharides
– Pepsins, which act on proteins and originate aminoacids
– Lipases, which transform lipids into glycerol and fatty acids
• Enzymes are produced in structures called glands.
 Glands of the digestive system

Salivary glands
They produce an secrete
Intestinal
saliva that contains
gland
digestive enzymes
They secrete mucus
and digestive enzymes Gastric glands
They secrete the
gastric juice that
Liver contain digestive
It produces bile that enzimes
facilitate the
Digestive enzymes: digestion and Pancreas
Proteins that help to absorption of lipids. It secretes the
break down different
pancreatic juice
nutrients, decomposing
organic macromolecules Gall bladder that contain
in their components. digestive enzymes
It stores the bile
2. Anatomy and physiology of the digestive system

Teeth Salivary glands

Mouth Pharynx
Tongue
Oesophagus

Stomach
Liver

Gall bladder

Pancreas

Colon Small intestine

Cecum Large intestine

Rectum
Appendix Anus
The digestive system transforms food into nutrients  so the body cells can
absorbe them. It is composed of:

The digestive tract: Accesory organs:

- Mouth - Salivary glands
- Pharynx - Pancreas
- Esophagus - Liver
- Stomach - Gall bladder
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
 MOUTH

 Functions:
- Ingestion
- Insalivation
- Submandibular glands
- Sublingual glands
- Parotid glands
- Mastication or chewing
32 teeth (adults)
20 teeth (children)
- Swallowing
 Insalivation

 The mixing of saliva with food.

 It is formed a ball-like shape called a
bolus (food + saliva).
 The salive contains an ezyme called
amylase.
 The amylase transforms starch
(complex carbs) into simple sugars.
 The saliva also destroy some bacteria
and facilitates the way of the bolus to
the pharynx.
Mastication (Chewing)
 Teeth

 Children (20 teeth)

212 (Dental formula)
8 incisors
4 canines
8 premolars
(temporary molars)
 Adults (32 teeth)
2123
8 incisors
4 canines
8 premolars
12 molars
 Structure of the tooth

 Crown: The protruding part.

Covered by the enamel.
 Root: Inserted in the gum.
Nerves and blood vessels are found
in the pulp
 Swallowing (deglución)

- The tongue pushes the bolus

from the mouth into the
pharynx and then it moves to
the oesophagus.

- There is a thin cartilaginous

structure that prevents the
entrance of food and drink into
the larynx  epiglottis
 Oesophagus

- Tube with a lenght of 25-30

cm that connects the pharynx
with the stomach.

- Wall muscles produce wave-

like contractions called
peristalsis that moves the
toward the stomach.
 The stomach and the small intestine

Oesophagus
Cardia
The valve that regulates
the entry of food to the
stomach
Pylorus
The valve that regulates Stomach
the exit of food to the small
intestine
Duodenum
Jejunum First part of the small
Medium part of the intestine. It communicates
small intestine with the stomach

Ileum
The end of the small intestine. It
comunicates with the large intestine.
 Stomach

 Valves (cardia and pylorus)

 Its internal walls have folds that secrete the gastric juices.
 Gastric juice (pepsin, HCl)  chemical digestion of proteins
 The internal wall is resistant to the acidity of the gastric juice.
 There is also a mechanical digestion  action of the gastric muscles.
 The bolus turn into a very acidic liquid  chyme

Cardia
 Small intestine

- A tube with a lenght of about 6 m.

- It extends from pylorus to the ileocecal valve (the boundary with the
large intestine)
- It is divided into three segments: duodenum, jejunum and ileum
- Two functions: digestion and absorption:
Digestion
The duodenum receives the chyme and is transformed into the chyle due to:
- The intestinal juice and the pancreatic juice (received from the
pancreas)
- The bile (received from the gall bladder) breaks the big drops of fat
in others smaller (emulsion). Then, the smaller drops are digested by
enzymes (lipases).
Absorption  (nutrients pass into the blood or lymph)
- The intestine is folded (bowel loops).
- The inner mucosa is also folded and forms intestinal folds, villi and
microvilli  they increase the surface area where nutrients can be
absorbed).
 Absorption
The absorption mainly occurs through the wall of the small intestine.

Intestinal fold

Microvilli
Intestine

Villi

Glands

Blood vessel
Chyliferous vessel
 LIVER

• It is the largest accessory gland located at the right side of the abdomen.
• It produces the bile that is stored in the gall bladder and it is secreted to
the duodenum.
• The bile has not enzymes, but bile salts emulsify the lipids to facilitate
their digestion and absortion.
• The bile also has other substances as bilirubin (waste produced by the
destruction of the haemoglobin of the old erythrocyte)
• It also has other functions such as the elimination of toxic substances
(alcohol and other drugs)
 PANCREAS

• It is a mixed gland located below and behind the stomach.

• It produces the pancreatic juice that is poured into the duodenum through
the ampulla of Vater This juice contains digestive enzymes for all the
types of nutrients, and NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate) that neutralize the
acidity of the chyme in the small intestine.
• It also produces hormones (insulin and glucagon).
Large intestine
 The food that cannot be digested goes to the large intestine and forms
faeces.
 Lenght about 1.5 m.
 It has not villi.
 Here it is produced the absorpion of water and mineral salts  formation
of faeces (the waste is compacted)
 Thanks to the peristalsis, the faeces are expelled (defecation)
 There are symbiotic bacteria (synthesis of vitamin K and B12) that feed
upon part of these waste .
Digestive processes
 Mechanical digestion
Mixing

CRUSHING MOVEMENTS

Peristalsis

SWALLOWING
 Chemical digestion

MOUTH STOMACH SMALL INTESTINE

Amilasa Bile
Saliva Gastric juice
Ptialina Pancreatic juice
Intestinal juice
Water, mineral salts
and vitamins
Water, mineral salts
and vitamins
Carbohydrates

Glucose
Proteins

Aminoacids
Lipids
Fatty Acids and
glycerol
3. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

• CARIES (TOOTH DECAY OR CAVITY): Infectious disease caused

by bacteria. The feed on the remains of food (especially the carbs form
sugary food) and as a result, acids are produced. These acids weaken
enamel and cause small holes. The acids erode the dentine and reach the
pulp.
• GASTROENTERITIS (STOMACH FLU): An inflammation of
the stomach and/or the small intestine produced by an infection.
Symptons: Vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, etc. Dehydration is
the main problem.

• HEPATITIS (A,B,C,D)  An inflammation of the liver caused by a

virus, toxins, poisonous substances, etc.

• CIRRHOSIS: Death of the liver cells caused by excessive alcohol,

inadequate diet, etc.

• CONSTIPATION. Difficult defecation often caused by stress or

diets lacking in fibre and water.
• APPENDICITIS. A swelling of the appendix caused by a blockage or
obstruction
• ULCER. A break in the lining of the stomach or duodenum that can
cause haemorrhage or perforate the stomach wall. It is caused by the
Helicobacter pylori and can be worse by alcohol, smoking, some drugs
or stress.

• BILE STONE (GALL STONE): A stone formed within the gall

bladder. Size can be 1-2 mm or a few cm