Biology Notes

KDV @SBCA 14-15 #G8

Digestive System
Accessory Organs of the Digestive System
1. Pancreas- an elongated organ that lies just behind the stomach. Produces pancreatic amylase (amylopsin) and
Peptidase (Trypsin, Chymotrypsin) which digest complex carbohydrates and proteins respectively. Transferred directly to the
small intestine through the pancreatic duct. Secretes INSULIN- control blood sugar level.
2. Liver and gallbladder- Largest gland in the body. The livers primary digestive function is to facilitate the
digestion and absorption of lipids by producing bile. The bile emulsify lipids in the small intestine. Eventually the
droplets are small enough to be digested by lipases (lipid-digesting enzymes) from the pancreas. The bile
produced by the liver flows through ducts to the gallbladder. Then, the gallbladder concentrates bile by removing
most of the water and stores it until after a meal, when it is secreted into the small intestine via the bile duct,
which joins the pancreatic duct. (other function of the Liver: heat production; detoxification)
Digestive Enzymes
Enzymes- are biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions. The basic mechanism by which enzymes catalyze
chemical reactions begins with the binding of the substrate (or substrates) to the active site on the enzyme. The active site
is the specific region of the enzyme which combines with the substrate. The active site has a unique geometric shape that
is complementary to the geometric shape of a substrate molecule, similar to the fit of puzzle pieces. This means that
enzymes specifically react with only one or a very few similar compounds. Lock and Key
Enzyme Source Where active Substance digested Breakdown products
Carbohydrates Digestion
Salivary Amylase Salivary Glands Mouth Simple sugars and
polysaccharides
Disaccharides
Pancreatic amylase Pancreas Small intestine Polysaccharides Disaccharides
Proteins
Gastric Juices(HCl,
rennin (in infants),
PEPSIN)
Stomach Stomach Proteins Peptides
Trypsin Pancreas Small intestine Proteins Peptides
Chymotrypsin Pancreas Small intestine Proteins Peptides
Lipid Digestion
Lipase Pancreas Small Intestine Triacylglycerides Fatty acids,
glycerides
Bile*(emulsifier not
an enzyme)
Liver Small Intestine Lipids Lipids
















Food
Nutrients
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Vitamins,
Minerals, Water and Fiber
Energy and
Materials
Vital Activities to
staty alive, Growth,
Developments and
repair. Maintenance
of good health,
Movement
Cellular Metabolic
Proceses
ATP
Digestive Tract
mouth, Paharynx,
Esophagus,
Stomach, Small
Intestine, Large
Intestine
Organisms need food because
contains
In the form of
Which are sources of
Needed for Produced by
Result of the
production of
Broken down into simplest forms in the
Biology Notes
KDV @SBCA 14-15 #G8

Diseases Related to the Digestive System
1. Constipation- irregular or infrequent defecation characterized by dry feces or stool. Feces move
through the colon slowly that much water is removed making the feces hard and dry. CAUSE: low fiber
diet, lack of exercise or prolong usage of medicine.
2. Diarrhea- frequent watery fecal excretion. It can lead to dehydration and weakens the body. CAUSE:
microbial infection or by contaminated food and water. Stress: which speeds up peristalsis that cause
irritation to the intestinal tract.
3. Gastroesophageal reflux (Acid Reflux Disease)- characterized by heartburn or chest pain; CAUSE:
abnormal backflow of the acids from the stomach upwards into the esophagus. Leads to nausea,
difficulty in deglutition and irritation which damage the lining of the esophagus. Usage of antacids may
be prescribed to neutralize the acidity.
4. Peptic ulcer- collective term use to describe the disintegration of the lining of the stomach (GASTRIC
ULCER) or duodenum (DOUDENAL ULCER). CAUSE: too much acidity, alcohol, smoking or bacterial
infection. (Helicobacter pylori). Signs and symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, indigestion, fat
intolerance and weight loss. It is treated by using antacids and antibiotic
5. Inflammatory digestive disorders
- Gastritis- stomach irritation due to the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Symptoms
are nausea and vomiting, sharp pain in the stomach and bloating. Once blood is observed in
the stool when the stool is very dark, immediate medical attention is needed.
- Appendicitis- inflammation of the appendix. Due to incidental entry of food containing
bacteria. Severe pain in the lower right side of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting and fever are
the symptoms of appendicitis.
6. Lactose intolerance- Difficulty digesting milk Human infants are born with the enzyme lactase in
their small intestines for digesting lactose. However, many adults gradually lose the enzyme, and with it
their ability to digest lactose. The result is lactose intolerance. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include
diarrhea, gas, bloating, and ab- dominal cramps after ingesting milk products. Diarrhea occurs because
the undigested lactose causes fluid to be retained in the digestive tract. The gas, bloating, and
abdominal cramps are due to bacterial fermentation of the lactose, which produces gases
7. Anorexia nervosa- condition in which a person diets excessively or stops eating altogether, even to
the point of starvation and death. Symptoms include the following: Refusal to maintain healthy body
weight, intense fear of gaining weight, even though underweight
8. Bulimia- is a binge-and-purge condition in which some- one eats and deliberately vomits or takes other
steps to minimize the Calories ingested. Symptoms of bulimia include the following: Recurrent episodes
of binge eating. An episode of binge eating involves both (1) eating large amounts of food and (2)
feeling a lack of control over eating. Taking recurrent inappropriate steps to prevent weight gain, such
as self-induced vomiting; misusing laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting; or
exercising excessively. Binge eating and compensatory behaviors that occur, on average, at least twice
a week for three months.