Digestive System What are the parts of this system? What is the job of each part?? How does it interact with other systems? How can I best care for it?

Parts of the Digestive system Teeth Salivary Glands Esophagus Stomach Liver Gallbladder Pancreas Small Intestine Large Intestine (Colon) Rectum Anus

Function: Digestion Breakdown of food into basic building blocks (nutrients) Mechanical: chewing & churning Chemical: digestive juices Mouth (carbohydrates) Stomach (proteins) Small Intestine (fats)

Mouth Teeth: Mechanical breakdown of foods Salivary Glands: Chemical breakdown of carbohydrates (starches & sugars)

Stomach Gastric Juices breakdown proteins: 1. Hydrochloric acid 2. Pepsin (enzyme that digests protein) Smooth Muscles in walls churn food to make Chyme: Creamy mixture of food and gastric juices

Liver Bile: Greenish fluid breaks down Fats 1. made in Liver 2. stored in Gallbladder Also changes toxins (poisons) into harmless substances. Examples of Body’s Toxins 1. Poisonous Foods, Plants, Animals 2. Alcohol & Drugs (including medicines (ibuprofen…)

Pancreas Produces: 1. Insulin - metabolizes sugars in the blood 2. Digestive Enzymes - for fats and proteins

Small Intestine 21-23 feet long…and…1 inch in diameter Villi: finger-like projections in the walls of the small intestine lined with capillaries (smallest vessels in the circulatory system). 1. Major digestion of fats 2. All undigested food is broken down 3. Most nutrients absorbed

Nutrients Carbohydrates - energy Proteins – build & repair tissues Fats - energy Vitamins – support metabolism Minerals – building blocks of cells

Digestive Processes Mechanical Breakdown: chewing & muscles Chemical Breakdown: enzymes & ‘juices’ Peristalsis: Involuntary muscle contractions that mix and move food through the digestive tract

Large Intestine 5-6 feet long…and …2-3 inches in diameter Last Chance!! Final nutrients pass into the blood stream 1. Water 2. Vitamins 3. Mineral Salts

Absorption & Elimination Absorption: Nutrients pass into blood stream Provide 1. Energy to power muscles 2. Substances to repair tissues Elimination: Undigested food leaves body Cellulose from vegetables & fruits

Diseases Ulcers – sores Diabetes I & II – blood sugar, pancreas Hyperglycemia & Hypoglycemia Itis = ‘inflammation of’ Appendicitis – appendix Pancreatitis – pancreas Ulcerative Colitis/ Chron’s Disease Gallstones – mineral rocks in the Gall Bladder Eating Disorders Obesity, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia

Ulcers

Best Care Diet with all Nutrients 1. Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats 2. Vitamins & Minerals 3. Fiber – fruits & vegetables Rest and Digest Low stress at mealtimes Exercise 1. Improves blood circulation 2. Decreases stress 3. Massages organs