Quarter 4 – Module 1 The Digestive System: Structures and Functions

Both mechanical and chemical digestion occurs in the mouth. There are different structures in the
mouth. These include the teeth, the tongue, and the salivary glands. The first step in digestion is chewing
which is aided by the teeth and tongue. The teeth break the food and at the same time, saliva from the salivary
glands moistens the food, facilitating its conduction into the pharynx. The saliva contains the enzyme ptyalin
or amylase, which converts starch into disaccharides (like maltose). The food then becomes semi-solid mass
called bolus. With the aid of the tongue, the food is swallowed. Then, it is brought at the region specifically at
the back of the mouth called pharynx. As you swallow, a flap of tissue called epiglottis closes the trachea at
the entrance of the respiratory tract to ensure that the food enters the esophagus (also called gullet). After
entering the gullet, it will temporarily store in the stomach. Digestion ends in the small intestine where
nutrients are absorbed in the villi and enter the circulatory system. Fluid enters the duodenum (one of the
small intestine regions) from the stomach through the ducts of the pancreas, liver, and the gall bladder. The
undigested food goes into the large intestine including wastes, like water that was not reabsorbed, are
temporarily stored in the rectum before they are excreted out the body through the anus. Other enzymes, such
as protease and lipase help break down proteins in the stomach and fats in the small intestine, respectively.

Table 1. Parts and Functions of Digestive System

Organs of the Digestive System Functions

Digestive Tract

- mouth/ buccal cavity is the start of digestion(mechanical) where food

Mouth/ buccal cavity is masticated and mixed with saliva.
- teeth functions to mechanically break down items of food by cutting
and crushing them in preparation for swallowing and digesting.

- tongue helps out, pushing the food around while you masticate (chew)
with your teeth.

Buccal Cavity include:

a. teeth
b. tongue

- an intersection leading to the trachea and esophagus.

- passageway of food.

Pharynx
Regions of the pharynx:
nasopharynx, oropharynx,
laryngopharynx

- connects the pharynx to the stomach.

- it moves food by waves of muscle contraction called peristalsis.

esophagus/ gullet

Stomach showing rugae

- is a muscular sac with expandable walls.
These contract to mash the food into a water soup called chyme.
- secretes the enzyme, pepsin, which digest protein.
- the inner lining of the stomach is folded (rugae) to increase its inner
surface to hold more food substances.

Stomach
 - the longest part of digestive system and is chiefly involved in
the digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- It receives pancreatic secretions and bile through the
hepatopancreatic duct which aid with its functions.
- upper part, is first to receive partially digested food from the stomach
and begins with the absorption of nutrients.
small intestines - to absorb sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids
3 Divisions: - absorbs any remaining nutrients that did not get absorbed by the
a. duodenum duodenum or jejunum, in particular vitamin B12, as well
b. jejunum as bile acids that will go on to be recycled.
c. ileum

- to absorb water and mineral salts from the unaccumulated food

material.

large intestines/ colon

- stores feces until it is egested.

Rectum

Anus - to provide an outlet for disposing of the undigested matter out of the
body

Digestive Glands and Accessory Organs

- a vital organ that produces bile. Bile, a yellow-green substance, is

stored in the gall bladder.
- production of cholesterol, conversion of glucose to glycogen for
storage of iron & fat- soluble vitamins, synthesis of vit. A, K, & B12,
converts fats and amino acids to glucose, and breaks down alcohol,
drugs and toxic chemicals taken in by the body.
Liver

- is to store bile, also called gall, needed for the digestion of fats in
food.

Gall bladder

- It plays an essential role in converting the food we eat into fuel for the
body's cells. The pancreas has two main functions: an
exocrine function that helps in digestion and an endocrine function that
regulates blood sugar.
Pancreas

- salivary glands moistens the food, facilitating its conduction into the
pharynx. The saliva contains enzyme salivary amylase, which converts
starch into disaccharides. The food then becomes a semi-solid mass
called bolus.
Salivary glands
Table 2. Enzymes for Digestion

Digestive Enzyme Glands/organs Substrate Digestion Role in

cavity that produced product Digestion

Mouth Salivary Amylase Salivary glands starch Maltose Breaks down starches into
or disaccharides
Ptyalin
Simpler
Stomach Pepsin Gastric glands proteins proteins Breaks down protein into
Peptides

Pancreatic
Amylase or Pancreas starch Maltose Continues starch
Amylopsin breakdown

Trypsin Pancreas proteins Polypeptides Continues protein

breakdown

Small Lipase Pancreas fats Fatty acids Breaks down fats

intestine and glycerol or lipids into fatty acids and
glycerol

Simple
Maltase Intestinal glands Maltose sugars Breaks down remaining
(glucose) disaccharides
into monosaccharide

Peptidase Pancreas Simpler Amino acids Breaks down dipeptides

proteins into amino acids