Digestion- is the process in which food is
broken down into smaller molecules that the
body can use to nourish the cells and to provide
energy.
Mechanical Phase- food is broken down into
small pieces by the process of chewing
ormastication.
Chemical phase- food is acted upon by chemical
substances called enzymes that are secreted
together with the digestive juices
Parts of the digestive system:
Mouth or oral cavity- where food is chemically
and mechanically digested.
contains the ff:
 Teeth break down food into small
pieces
 Tongue is a muscular organ that mixes
the food with the saliva and at the same
time aids in swallowing
 Salivary glands secrete saliva that
lubricates food
 Palate forms the roof of the mouth.
Esophagus- a muscular tube through which food
passes form the pharynx to the stomach.
Stomach- the expanded organ located between
the esophagus
Small intestine- is considered as the organ of
complete digestion and absorption. It secretes
the enzymes that change food materials into
their simplest components
Large intestine or colon- the next organ after
the small intestine. About 1.5 meters long
Rectum- is located at the distal end of the
sigmoid colon
Anus- functions as the exit point for fecal
materials
Different Accessory Organs of Digestion
Salivary glands- secretes saliva and is located in
the mouth there are three types:
 Paratoid
 Sublingual
 Submandibular
Saliva- a chemical substance that is a
combination of watery fluid (serous fluid) and
mucus.
Liver- is the largest organ in the body. filter the
blood coming from the digestive tract, before
passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also
detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As
it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up
back in the intestines.
Bile- increases the absorption of fats, it is an
important part of the absorption of the fat-
soluble substances, such as the vitamins A, D, E,
and K.
Gallbladder- where bile is temporarily stored
and concentrated.
Pancreas- is a large, elongated gland located at
the back of the stomach.
An enzyme which promotes the digestion of a
protein is known as proteinase
Carbohydrase acts on Carbohydrates
Lipase acts on fat (lipase comes from lipids,
which is another term for fats)
Defecation- a process wherein food that is not
absorbed by the walls of the food tube is
thrown out through the anus by peristaltic
movement of the large intestine.
Cell Division- is the:
 production of new cells to bring about
growth
 replacement of damaged cells int the
wounded body parts
 production of new generations og
individuals among some group of
organisms take place through one of
the wonderful processes that happens
in the body of living things.
Cell Cycle- the process of cell division is
repeated over and over.
Mitosis
 takes place in our body cells (called
somatic cells).
 Responsible for the increase in weight
and height of a baby as he/she grows
and develops into a teenager.
 Responsible for the healing of the
wound when a part of the body is
accidentally cut or scratched.
Interphase- is a way replicating the
chromosomes into two similar equal parts. Each
of these parts will be passed on to the two new
daughter cells formed after cell division.
Nucleus- considered as the control center of the
cell for it directs and coordinates all cellular
activities. Most of the processes that happen
during cell division are centered within the
nucleus.
Divided into three subphases:
G1- initial period of growth
S- wherein DNA is synthesized so that the
chromosomes can replicate.
G2- time for growth, separates interphase from
the Mitotic or M phase.
(sa other stages sa mitosis kay ga photocopy
rakos book page 347)
Meiosis
 take place in the ovaries and testes of
animals, including humans.
 It is responsible for the formation of
gametes or sex cells (sperm and egg
cells)
Humans have 46 chromosomes.
This is our diploid number (2n)
Diploid- means the nucleus of our body cells
contains two sets of homologous
chromosomes.
We inherit half of these chromosomes from our
father and half from our mother 2(23).
Homlogous chromosomes- mean that they both
carry the genes controlling the same traits.
Each egg and sperm has a single set of
chromosomes composed of 22 autosomesand
one pair of sex chromosomes.
Our gametes are the Haploid cells (N) since they
carry a single set of chromosomes.
Haploid sperm cell unites with a haploid egg cell
to form a fertilized egg or Zygote which is
diploid.
Haploid gametes are produced by the process
of meisosis.
Synapsis- the process where the homologous
chromosomes pair and intertwine.
Tetrad- four chromatids
Meiosi I - results in the formation of two
independent cells.

Meiosis II – the beginning parent cells are

haploid,

While in Mitosis is diploid

Crossing over – wherein the chromatids

undergo genetic re-assortment by exchanging
segments. This phenomenon somewhat
changes the genetic information of one
member of the chromatids.

-rearranges the genetic information coded in

the sister chromatids.