Can, Could, Be Able To

Can, could and be able to are used to express a variety of ideas in

English:
Ability/Lack of Ability
Present and Future:
can/can’t + base form of the verb
1. Tom can write poetry very well.
2. I can help you with that next week.
3. Lisa can’t speak French.
am / is / are / will be + able to + base form of the verb
am not/ isn’t / aren’t/ won’t be + able to + base form of the verb
1. Mike is able to solve complicated math equations
2. The support team will be able to help you in about ten minutes.
3. I won’t be able to visit you next summer.
Past:
could / couldn’t + base form of the verb
1. When I was a child I could climb trees.
was / were + able to + base form of the verb
wasn’t / weren’t + able to + base form of the verb
hasn’t / haven’t + been able to + base form of the verb
1. I wasn’t able to visit her in the hospital.
2. He hasn’t been able to get in touch with the client yet.
Note: Can and could do not take an infinitive (to verb) and do not take the future auxiliary will.
 Incorrect: I can to help you this afternoon.
 Correct: I can help you this afternoon.
 Correct: I will (I’ll) be able to help you this afternoon.
Possibility / Impossibility
can / can’t + base form of the verb
1. You can catch that train at 10:43.
2. He can’t see you right now. He’s in surgery.
could + base form of the verb
1. I could fly via Amsterdam if I leave the day before.
Ask Permission / Give Permission
Can + Subject + base form of the verb (informal)
1. Can you lend me ten dollars?
Can + base form of the verb (informal)
1. You can borrow my car.
Could + subject + base form of the verb (polite)
1. Could I have your number?
2. Could I talk to your supervisor please?
Make a suggestion – To make a suggestion use:
Could + base form of the verb (informal)
1. You could take the tour of the castle tomorrow.
May, Might
Formal Permission / Formal Prohibition
may / may not + base form of the verb
1. You may start your exam now.
2. You may not wear sandals to work.
Polite Request
May + subject + base form of the verb
1. May I help you?
Possibility / Negative Possibility
may/ might + base form of the verb
1. We may go out for dinner tonight. Do you want to join us?
2. Our company might get the order if the client agrees to the price.
may not / might not + base form of the verb
1. Adam and Sue may not buy that house. It’s very expensive.
2. They might not buy a house at all.
To Make a Suggestion (when there is no better alternative)
may as well / might as well + base form of the verb
1. You may as well come inside. John will be home soon.
2. We might as well take Friday off. There’s no work to be done anyway.
Polite Suggestion
might + base form of the verb
1. You might like to try the salmon fillet. It’s our special today.
Shall, Should, Ought to
To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are quite sure of a positive answer)
Shall + subject + base form of the verb
1. Shall we go for a walk?
Note: Shall is only used with I or we. It is used instead of will only in formal English.
To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are not sure of a positive answer)
Should + subject + base form of the verb
1. Should I call a doctor?
A Prediction or Expectation that Something Will Happen
should/shouldn’t + base form of the verb
1. The proposal should be finished on time.
2. I shouldn’t be late. The train usually arrives on time.
To Give Advice
should / ought to + base form of the verb
1. You should check that document before you send it out.
2. You ought to have your car serviced before the winter.
To Give Advice (about something you think wrong or unacceptable)
shouldn’t + base form of the verb
1. James shouldn’t teach him words like those.
Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t have to, Needn’t
Necessity or Requirement
Present and Future:
must / have to / need to + base form of the verb
1. You must have a passport to cross the border.
2. Elisabeth has to apply for her visa by March 10th.
3. I need to drop by his room to pick up a book.
Past:
had to / needed to + base form of the verb
1. I had to work late last night.
2. I needed to drink a few cups of coffee in order to stay awake.
Note: have to and need to are often used in the same context, but many times, need to is used to express something
that is less urgent, something in which you have a choice.
Almost 100% Certain
must + base form of the verb
1. Thomas has lived in Paris for years. His French must be very good.
To Persuade
must / have to + base form of the verb
1. You must try this wine. It’s excellent.
2. You have to visit us while you’re in town.
Prohibited or Forbidden
must not / mustn’t + base form of the verb
1. You must not drive over the speed limit.
2. You mustn’t leave medicines where children can get to them.
Lack of Necessity
don’t /doesn’t /didn’t + have to + base form of the verb
1. You don’t have to park the car. The hotel valet will do it for you.
2. Tim doesn’t have to go to school today. It’s a holiday.
3. You didn’t have to shout. Everyone could hear you.
needn’t + base form of the verb
1. You needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.
Modals: Will / Would
will / won’t + base form of the verb
1. John will pick you up at 7:00am.
2. Beth won’t be happy with the results of the exam.
Polite Request or Statement
Will / Would + base form of the verb
1. Will you please take the trash out?
2. Would you mind if I sat here?
3. I’d (I would) like to sign up for your workshop.
Habitual Past Action
Would/Wouldn’t + base form of the verb
1. When I was a child, I would spend hours playing with my train set.
2. Peter wouldn’t eat broccoli when he was a kid. He loves it now.
Exercises: Can, Could, Be able to
Fill in the correct form of can, could or be able to as in the examples.
1. Ben could not help his little brother with his homework yesterday.
2. Can I call you later tonight?
1. _______ Tony run long distances when he was a boy?
2. ______ you please call a tow truck for me? My car broke down. (polite)
3. The students _______ to buy their textbooks today. The bookstore is all out of them.
4. ______ you teach me how to fix my computer? You’re so good at it.
5. ______ you ______ reach the customer if you call him at 4:00 his time?
Exercises: May / Might
Fill in the correct form of may or might as in the example.
1. May I sit here?
1. They ______ finish the project on time. The main engineer is ill.
2. You _____ want to stop by the museum gift shop on your way out.
3. _____ I have your autograph?
4. He _______ visit the Louvre. He’s in Paris anyway.
5. You ______ park your car here. It’s reserved for guests of the hotel only.
Exercises: Should, Shouldn’t, Ought To
Fill in should, shouldn’t or ought in the following sentences as in the example.
1. He shouldn’t encourage such bad behavior.
1. You _____ get your teeth cleaned at least once a year.
2. The house ______ be ready to move into by next month. It’s almost finished.
3. Ron ________ to improve his attitude. If he doesn’t, he might get fired.
4. ________ I get your jacket? It’s cold in here.
5. You ________ put your feet on the table. It’s not polite.
Exercises: Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t Have to, Needn’t
Fill in the blanks with one of these modals:
must, must not, have to, has to, don’t have to, doesn’t have to, needn’t as in the examples.
There may be more than one correct answer.
1. Shira doesn’t have to drive to the airport. She’s going by taxi.
2. You must speak politely to the customers.
1. You ______ tell Anna about the party tomorrow night. It’s a surprise! (must not, need to, doesn’t have to)
2. Tina _______ register for her classes on Monday, otherwise she won’t get a place in them. (doesn’t have to,
mustn’t, has to)
3. You ________ send that fax. I’ve already sent it. (must, will have to, don’t have to)
4. A dog ______ get special training in order to be a guide dog. (must, need to, don’t have to)
5. Jeremy _______ get up early tomorrow. His class was cancelled. (mustn’t, doesn’t have to, don’t need to)
Exercises: will, would
Fill in the blanks with one of the following words: will, won’t, would, wouldn’t.
1. Will you please help me lift this box?
1. I ______ like to order the onion soup please.
2. The manager _______ be pleased to hear that a customer slipped on the wet floor.
3. _______ it be okay if I slept here tonight?
4. When Igor lived in Russia, he ________ call his mother as often as he does now.
5. I can assure you sir, the order ______ be shipped out tonight.
Exercises – All Modals
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the following modals:
can, could, be able to, may, might, shall, should, must, have to, don’t have to, need to
– You may have to make the modals negative according to the context of the sentence.
– There may be more than one possibility.
1. He has to take his car to be serviced. The brakes are squeaking.
2. Would you please save me a seat at the dinner event.
1. If you are sick, you ________ go to work. You’ll infect everyone there.
2. Drivers _______ stop at red lights.
3. You _______ finish the proposal today. You can finish it tomorrow.
4. She ______ hear much better with her new hearing aids.
5. ______ I order us a bottle of wine?
6. Sam ______ pick his daughter up from school. She’s taking the bus home.
7. You _____________ smoke here. It’s a smoke-free building.
8. You ________ eat so many sweets. They are bad for you.
9. _________ you mind walking a little faster? We’re going to be late.
10. I’m sorry. I _______ help you. I don’t know how to do it.
Exercises: Can, Could, Be able to
Answers:
1. Could
2. Could
3. aren’t able
4. Can
5. Will/be able to
2. .
Exercises: May / Might
Answers:
1. might not
2. might
3. May
4. may as well
5. may not
Exercises: Should, Shouldn’t, Ought To
Answers:
1. should
2. should
3. ought
4. shall
5. shouldn’t
Exercises: Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t Have to, Needn’t
Answers:
1. must not
2. has to
3. don’t have to
4. must
5. doesn’t have to
Exercises: will, would
Answers:
1. would
2. won’t
3. would
4. wouldn’t
5. will
Exercises – All Modals
Answers:
1. shouldn’t
2. must
3. don’t have to
4. can
5. shall
6. needn’t
7. mustn’t
8. shouldn’t
9. would
10. can’t
Sistemul digestiv este alcatuit din tub digestiv si glande anexe.
I.Tubul digestiv
Este format din:
1.cavitatea bucala, cuprinde:
-limba, organ musculos cu rol in vorbire, masticatie, deglutitie si sensibilitate gustativa
-dintii, organe dure cu rol in masticatie si vorbire
2.faringele, este un conduct musculo-membranos, reprezinta loc de incrucisare a caii digestive cu
cea respiratorie; comunica anterior cu fosele nazale, cavitatea bucala si laringele, comunica lateral
cu urechea medie si inferior cu esofagul
3.esofagul, este un organ musculo-membranos, situat posterior fata de trahee si are rol in
deglutitie
4.stomacul, este situat in abdomen, in loja gastrica, este organ cavitar; comunica cu esofagul prin
orificiul cardia si cu duodenul prin orificiul pilor; este alcatuit din fornix (fundul stomacului), corp,
antru si canal piloric; in mucoasa stomacului se gasesc glandele gastrice care secreta sucul gastric
5.intestinul subtire, se intinde de la pilor la valvula ileocecala; are trei segmente (duodenul,
jejunul si ileonul); duodenul (portiune fixa) cuprinde in concavitatea sa capul pancreasului; jejunul si
ileonul sunt portiuni mobile; in mucoasa intestinala se afla glandele intestinale, care secreta suc
intestinal si mucus; pe suprafata mucoasei intestinale se afla vilozitatile intestinale (alcatuite din:
epiteliu simplu cilindric, cu enterocite (celule cu microvili), tesut conjunctiv lax, vase de sange:
arteriola, capilare, venula; capilar limfatic (chilifer central), fibre musculare netede); rolul
vilozitatilor reprezinta marirea suprafetei de absortie
6.intestinul gros, se intinde de la valvula ileocecala pana la anus; mucoasa sa este lipsita de
vilozitati intestinale iar celulele sale secreta mucus; intestinul gros este alcatuit din: cec, colon si
rect; cecul se continua cu apendicele vermiform, colonul este format din segmentele ascendent,
transvers, descendent si sigmoid, rectul se continua cu canalul anal ce se deschide prin anus.
II.Glandele anexe
1.Glandele salivare (parotide, sublinguale, submandibulare), sunt situate in vecinatatea cavitatii
bucale.Sunt glande acinoase care secreta saliva.
2.Ficatul, este situat in cavitatea abdominala, sub diafragm, in loja hepatica.Are o secretie
exocrina, bila, care se elimina in perioadele digestive in duoden, iar in timpul perioadelor
interdigestive este depozitata in vezicula biliara.
Ficatul este alcatuit din lobi, segmente si lobuli.
Lobulul hepatic este unitatea structurala si functionala a ficatului; este alcatuit din hepatocite
(celulele ficatului), capilare sangvine, canalicule biliare si tesut conjunctiv.
3.Pancreasul (glanda mixta), este situat retroperitoneal, inapoia stomacului.Este alcatuit din cap,
corp si coada.Partea exocrina a pancreasului secreta sucul pancreatic, care este eliminat in duoden

Transformari fizico-chimice ale alimentelor in tubul digestiv

Digestia reprezinta totalitatea transformarilor mecanice, fizice si biochimice suferite de alimente
in tubul digestiv, in urma careia substantele organice complexe devin substante organice simple,
solubile, absorbabile, numite nutrimente.
Transformarile mecanice: masticatia, triturarea, deglutitia
Transformarile fizice: inmuierea alimentelor, dizolvarea substantelor hidrosolubile, emulsionarea
grasimilor
Transformarile chimice: substantele alimentare complexe devin substante simple sub actiunea
enzimelor
Enzimele digestive sunt componente ale sucurilor digestive care actioneaza numai asupra anumitor
substante organice alimentare.Unele enzime sunt secretate sub forma inactiva si devin active in
prezenta anumitor substante.
Categorii de enzime:
-enzime glicolitice sau amilolitice: transforma glucidele in monozaharide, glucoza, fructoza,
galactoza
-enzime lipolitice: transforma lipidele in glicerina si acizi grasi
-enzime proteolitice: transforma proteinele in aminoacizi

DIGESTIA BUCALA
Digestia bucala consta in totalitatea transformarilor mecanice, fizice si chimice, suferite de
alimente in cavitatea bucala.Timpul scurt petrecut de alimente in cavitatea bucala este suficient
pentru prelucrarea lor prin masticatie, impregnare cu saliva si actiunea enzimei din saliva.
Masticatia este un proces mecanic care consta in taierea, zdrobirea si maruntirea alimentelor cu
ajutorul muschilor masticatori, mandibulei, dintilor si limbii.
Fragmentele alimentare, rezultate in urma masticatiei, se imbiba cu saliva si se formeaza astfel
bolul alimentar.
Saliva este produsul de secretie al glandelor salivare mari (3 perechi: glande parotide, glande
sublinguale, glande submandibulare) si al glandelor salivare mici, care sunt raspandite in mucoasa
bucala.
Glandele salivare mari se gasesc in vecinatatea cavitatii bucale, cu care comunica prin canale de
excretie.
Saliva este un lichid incolor cu pH slab acid (6-7) care contine: substante anorganice (apa si saruri
minerale) si substante organice (lizozim, mucina, amilaza salivara).
Lizozimul este o substanta cu actiune bactericida.
Mucina este o proteina cu rol liant (legatura a alimentelor mestecate); favorizeaza formarea
bolului alimentar si inghitirea.
Amilaza salivara (ptialina) este singura enzima a salivei, degradeaza amidonul preparat pana la
dextrine si maltoza.
Descompunerea amidonului in zaharuri mai simple incepe in cavitatea bucala si pana ajunge la
stadiul de maltoza (in stomac) trece prin stadii intermediare de dextrine.
In urma tuturor transformarilor suferite de alimente in cavitatea bucala se formeaza bolul
alimentar.Prin miscarile limbii si ale muschilor obrajilor, bolul alimentar este impins in fundul gurii
si inghitit.
Deglutitia (inghitirea) consta in totalitatea proceselor prin care bolul alimentar, format in
cavitatea bucata, strabate faringele si esofagul ajungand in stomac.

DIGESTIA GASTRICA
Digestia gastrica consta in totalitatea transformarilor suferite de catre alimente in stomac; ea
este rezultatul activitatii secretorii si motorii a stomacului.
Activitatea secretorie consta in secretia sucului gastric de catre glandele gastrice din mucoasa
gastrica.
Sucul gastric
Sucul gastric este un lichid incolor cu pH foarte acid (2,5-5) care contine: substante organice
(mucus si enzime), substante anorganice (H2O, saruri minerale si HCl)
HCl activeaza enzimele proteolitice din sucul gastric, au actiune bactericida.
Mucusul protejeaza mucoasa gastrica de actiunea HCl si a pepsinei
Enzimele sucului gastric sunt proteolitice si lipolitice.
Enzimele proteolitice sunt urmatoarele:
a) Pepsina
Este secretata sub forma inactiva de pepsinogen; este activata de catre H20, descompune
proteinele pana la peptide de tipul albumozelor si peptonelor.
b) Labfermentul
Este secretat mai ales la sugari; este probabil absent din sucul gastric al adultului
c) Gelatinaza
Lichifiaza gelatina
Enzimele lipolitice sunt reprezentate de lipaza gastrica.
a) Lipaza gastrica degradeaza lipidele pana la acizi grasi si glicerol
Activitatea motorie este asigurata de musculatura neteda a stomacului, care executa doua tipuri
de miscari: miscari tonice si miscari peristaltice.
Miscarile tonice sunt miscarile de adaptare a capacitatii stomacului la continutul sau.
Miscarile peristaltice consta in unde de contractie si relaxare care se propaga in acelasi sens,
asigurand inaintarea alimentelor.
In urma tuturor transformarilor suferite de alimente in stomac se formeaza chimul gastric.Chimul
gastric are aspectul unei paste acide.Stomacul trimite catre intestinul subtire portii mici de chim
pentru a evita supraincarcarea acestuia.

DIGESTIA INTESTINALA
Digestia intestinala consta in totalitatea transformarilor suferite de catre alimente la nivelul
intestinului subtire; ea este rezultatul activitatii secretorii si motorii al intestinului subtire.
Activitatea secretorie consta in secretia bilei, sucului pancreatic si sucului intestinal.La nivelul
intestinului subtire, chimul gastric este supus actiunii combinate ale celor trei sucuri digestive.
I.Bila (fierea)
Bila este produsul de secretie al hepatocitelor (celulelor ficatului); este un lichid vascos, galben-
auriu numit bila hepatica.Este secretata permanent, si intre mese se colecteaza in vezica (vezicula)
biliara (colecist).In vezicula biliara, prin reabsortia de H20 bila se concentreaza si devine un lichid
verde (bila colecistica).In timpul digestiei, bila este eliminata in duoden pentru a participa la
digestia intestinala.Bila nu contine enzime.
Bila este alcatuita din: H20, pigmenti biliari, saruri biliare, colesterol si licitina.
Pigmentii biliari (bilirubina si biliverdina) sunt produsi de degradare a hemoglobinei si dau culoarea
caracteristica materiilor fecale si urinei.
Sarurile biliare provin din descompunerea colesterolului; au rol in emulsionarea (fragmentarea)
grasimilor in picaturi fine asupra carora poate actiona enzimele, activarea lipazelor si absortia
grasimilor din intestin.
II.Sucul pancreatic
Sucul pancreatic este produsul de secretie al pancreasului exocrin; este un lichid incolor, clar, cu
pH alcalin (8).Este format din: substante organice (enzime si mucus) si substante anorganice (H20
si bicarbonat).
Enzimele sucului pancreatic sunt de trei tipuri: enzime proteolitice, enzime lipolitice si enzime
glicolitice.
1.Enzime proteolitice sunt reprezentate de:
a) Tripsina
Tripsina este secretata sub forma inactiva de tripsinogen si este activata in intestin sub actiunea
entiochimozei (enzima secretata de mucoasa duodenala)
b) Chimotripsina
Chimotripsina este secretata sub forma inactiva de chimotripsinogen si este activata in intestin
sub actiunea tripsinei.
Tripsina si chimotripsina actioneaza asupra proteinelor neatacate de pepsina si asupra albumozelor
si peptonelor (pe care le degradeaza pana la stadiul de oligopeptide) .
c) Carboxipeptidaze
Activate de tripsina, degradeaza oligopeptidele pana la stadiul de tripeptide si dipeptide.
d) Elastaza
Activata de tripsina, degradeaza proteinele fibroase pana la oligopeptide.
2.Enzime lipolitice: lipaza pancreatica, degradeaza lipidele pana la acizi grasi si glicerol.
3.Enzime glicolitice: amilaza pancreatica, are actiune mai puternica decat cea salivara;
degradeaza amidonul pana la stadiul de maltoza.
III.Sucul intestinal
Este produsul de secretie al glandelor din mucoasa duodenala; este un lichid bogat in mucus si
bicarbonat.Nu contine enzime, acestea sunt prezente la nivelul polului apical (varf) al celulelor
intestinale (enterocite).
Absortia intestinala este procesul prin care produsii finali ai digestiei, impreuna cu o mare
cantitate de H20, ioni minerali si vitamine, strabat mucoasa intestinului subtire, trecand in sange
si limfa.
Absortia anumitor constituenti se poate realiza
- la nivelul stomacului (H20, cloruri, alcooli, dioxid de carbon)
- la nivelul colonului (H20 si electroliti).
Dar sediul absortiei este intestinul subtire, pentru ca absortia este favorizata la acest nivel de o
serie de adaptari ale mucoasei intestinale.De aceea, lichidul care trece in interiorul intestinului
gros este practic lipsit de substante nutritive.
Adaptari ale mucoasei intestinale pentru realizarea functiei de absortie confera o suprafata
foarte mare de absortie.
Suprafata foarte mare de absortie se datoriteaza pliurilor multiple ale mucoasei reprezentate de:
a) valvule conivente (pliuri mari);
b) vilozitati intestinale (pliuri in forma de deget);
c) microvili la polul apical (la varful enterocitelor);
Vilozitatile intestinale au la suprafata un epiteliu unistratificat alcatuit din enterocite cu microvili
la polul apical.Sub epiteliul unistratificat al vilozitatilor intestinale se gasesc capilarele sangvine si
limfatice.
Contractia vilozitatilor intestinale creste viteza de absortie a produsilor finali de digestie.
Absortia intestinala se realizeaza prin urmatoarele mecanise:
a) pasive, (fara consum de energie), in sensul gradientului de concentratie (de la o concentratie
mai mare la o concentratie mai mica)
b) active, (cu consum de energie), impotriva gradientului de concentratie
c) prin vezicule de pinocitoza, in cazul proteinelor intregi (anticorpii din laptele matern
1.Absortia proteinelor
Absortia proteinelor se face sub forma de aminoacizi, prin mecanisme active.Intrand in celulele
mucoasei intestinale, aminoacizii trec apoi pasiv din aceste celule in sange.
La sugari, unele proteine nedigerate (anticorpii din laptele matern) pot fi absorbite in intestin prin
vezicule de pinocitoza.
2.Absortia glucidelor
Absortia glucidelor se face
- prin mecanisme active, sub forma de hexoze, monozaharide cu 6 atomi de carbon (glucoza,
fructoza, galactoza);
- prin mecanisme pasive, sub forma de pentoze, monozaharide cu 5 atomi de carbon (riboza), .
Absortia glucozei se face prin cuplarea acesteia cu un transportor comun cu cel care realizeaza si
absortia sodiului.Absortia glucozei necesita consum de energie provenit din degradarea moleculelor
de ATP (acid adenozintrifosforic).
3.Absortia lipidelor
Absortia lipidelor se face sub forma de acizi grasi si glicerol.Glicerolul se absoarbe pasiv in sange
si limfa, fiind hidrosolubil.Acizii grasi cu lant scurt (cu mai putin de 12 atomi de carbon) se absorb
pasiv in sange.Acizii grasi cu lant lung (cu mai mult de 12 atomi de carbon) se absorb pasiv in limfa
sub forma de kilomicroni, acestia sunt complexe formate din trigliceride, fasolipide, colesterol si o
parte proteica.
4.Absortia ionilor (electrolitilor) si a apei
Absortia ionilor de Na+ se realizeaza activ in intestinul subtire si colon, antrenand si absortia
pasiva a Cl-, ionii de Ca2+ se absorb activ in duoden, in prezenta vitaminei D, dar si pasiv in restul
intestinului.Ionii de Fe2+ se absorb activ in jejun (stimulat de vitamina C) si in ileon.Apa se
absoarbe pasiv in intestinul subtire si gros.
5.Absortia vitaminelor
Absortia vitaminelor se face diferit, in functie de solubilitatea lor.Vitaminele hidrosolubile se
absorb rapid, in timp ce absortia vitaminelor liposolubile este deficitara, daca lipsesc sarurile
biliare sau enzimele pancreatice din intestin.
Dupa solubilitatea lor vitaminele se clasifica in:
- vitamine liposolubile (solubile in grasimi), de exemplu A,D,K si E.
- vitamine hidrosolubile (solubile in apa), de exemplu B1,B2,B6 si B12

Fiziologia intestinului gros

Ultimul segment al tubului digestiv (intestinul gros) este alcatuit din:
a) cec (cecum)
b) colon ascendent, transvers, descendent si sigmoid
c) rect (acesta se continua cu canalul anal care se deschide prin orificiul anal (anus))
Resturile nedigerate si produsii neabsorbiti trec mai departe in intestinul gros.Aici se desfasoara
activitatile secretorii, motorii si de absortie, procese de fermentatie si putrefactie.In urma
acestora se formeaza materiile fecale care sunt eliminate la exteriorul corpului prin actul numit
defecatie.
1.Activitatea secretorie
Activitatea secretorie consta in producerea de mucus cu rol in formarea si progresia materiilor
fecale de-a lungul colonului.Colonul secreta si
potasiu
2.Activitatea de absortie
Activitatea de absortie consta in absortia apei, prin mecanisme pasive, absortia sodiului prin
mecanisme active si absortia clorului prin mecanisme pasive.
3.Activitatea motorie
Activitatea motorie consta in: contractii segmentare, stationare care favorizeaza absortia apei;
miscari segmentare si unde peristaltice cu efect propulsiv; contractii in masa rare, dar puternice
cu efect propulsiv de la colon spre rect.
Procesul de fermentatie are loc in prima parte a intestinului gros, este realizat de flora bacteriana
aeroba, formata in general de Bacillus, coli, Bacillus lactici.