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    2.1.0 Digestive System

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    kwashiejasiel

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    2.1.0 Digestive System

    Uploaded by

    kwashiejasiel
    4 views6 pages

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    4 views6 pages

    2.1.0 Digestive System

    Uploaded by

    kwashiejasiel

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 6

    DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

    The alimentary system is an organ system within humans and other animals concerned with ingestion,
    digestion and absorption of food as well as removal of wastes products (feaces).
    The mouth, oesophagus, stomach and intestines are part of the alimentary tract or gastrointestinal tract.
    The Mammalian Digestive System
    The digestive system of a mammal consists of the alimentary canal and the associated glands. The parts of
    the alimentary canal are as follows

    Mouth and Buccal Cavity


    In the mouth food is masticated or broken down into small pieces by the teeth, salivary gland present in the
    mouth secrete saliva to soften the food. The saliva also contains enzymes.

    Pharynx
    The pharynx leads to the Oesophagus and to the trachea by the way of the larynx (voice box). The larynx
    bears the glottis (a slit-like opening) It is a common passage for food and air.
    A flap-like cartilage, the epiglottis, lies above the larynx, just behind the tongue, and prevents food from
    entering the trachea or windpipe

    Oesophagus or Gullet
    It is a narrow muscular tube which connects the mouth to the stomach. Balls of food (boluses) pass through
    by peristalsis (zigzag movement), from the mouth to the stomach

    Stomach
    The stomach is a muscular organ located on the left side of the upper abdomen. It receives food from the
    oesophagus. Where the stomach joins the small intestine is the pyloric sphincter, a muscular valve whose
    contraction and relaxation allow food to pass into the small intestine.
    The walls of the stomach are lined with gastric glands which secretes gastric juice. The gastric juice
    contains:
    i. Pepsin (a protease), which breaks down large molecules of protein into small polypeptides
    ii. Hydrochloric acid (HCL) to maintain an optimum PH (1 – 2, 5) for the functioning of the protease. The
    acid also kills bacteria.

    Organs and Glands associated with the Gut


    Liver and the gall bladder
    The liver lies immediately below the diaphragm to the right side of the body. It is dark red in colour and is
    made up of four lobes. It is the largest gland in the body.
    The liver secretes bile (greenish–yellow alkaline fluid ) which contains bile salts and pigment. The bile
    pigment gives the bile its characteristics colour. Bile aids the digestion of fats. The bile is stored in the gall
    bladder
    Pancreas
    The pancreas lies in the loop of the duodenum. The pancreatic duct connects the pancreas to the
    duodenum. The bile duct from the gall bladder and the pancreatic duct from the pancreas opens into the
    duodenum. The pancreas secretes the pancreatic juice which contains digestive enzymes.
    The pancreas also secretes insulin, this hormone plays an important role in the regulation of blood sugar.

    Feeding Mechanisms of Some Animals


    The mammalian digestive system shows the highest degree of modification according to the feeding habits.
    The different categories of feeding habits are
    1. Filter feeding
    2. Fluid feeding
    3. Deposit feeders
    4. Insect feeders
    5. Parasitic feeders
    6. Saprophytic feeders

    Parasitic Feeding
    In parasitic feeding, an organism (parasite) lives on the body surface or inside the body of another type of
    organism (host). The parasite obtains food directly from the host without contributing anything in return.
    The host is harmed during the feeding process.
    ▪ Examples of parasites are lice, tick, tapeworm fleas.
    ▪ Ectoparasites e.g lice, fleas, tick lives on the body surface.
    ▪ Endoparasites like tapeworm, round worm lives insides the body of the host.

    Saprophytic Feeding
    This mode of feeding is carried by organisms that do not possess chlorophyll.
    These plants feed on dead and decaying organic matter. Examples of saprophytic feeders are Mucor,
    Mushroom, Rhizopus. Root-like structures known as Rhizoids, found in fungi, secrete digestive enzymes
    from their cells to the dead organic matter. Digestion is extracellular i.e. It takes place outside cells of the
    saprophytic plants. The nutrients are then absorbed by the cells.
    Saprophytic fungi

    Feeding Mechanism in Protozoa e.g Amoeba


    Amoeba feeds on algae such as diatoms and Chlamydomonas.
    When Amoeba comes in contact with its food, it thrusts out its pseudopodia in the direction of the food and
    surrounds It with a drop of water forming the food vacuole . The food particle is carried around the cell and
    digested. Digested food diffuses into the cytoplasm. Nutrients are assimilated and the undigested food is
    egested.

    Process of Feeding in Amoeba


    Feeding Mechanism in Hydra
    Hydra feeds on small aquatic organisms such as water fleas, insect larvae etc. When a hydra is hungry, it
    stretches out the tentacles, when it comes in contact with prey, the nematocysts discharge their stinging
    threads which pierces and injects a poisonous substance into the body of the prey. The prey is then
    paralysed and carried to the mouth by the tentacles. Once the food is in the enteron digestive enzymes are
    secreted by the endodermal cells to digest it. The digested food is absorbed while the undigested food is
    passed out through the mouth.

    Feeding Process in Hydra

    Insects feeders: (Insectivorous / carnivorous plants)


    These are plants that obtain energy by feeding on small insects. They have developed special structures to
    trap their prey. Examples of insectivorous plants are pitcher plants, venus flytrap, sundew.
    The Pitcher Plant
    In the pitcher plant, some of its leaves are modified to form a pitcher – like a container; a deep cavity filled
    with digestive liquid. The inner walls of the containers are slippery and smooth. Once insects are trapped,
    they are unable to come out.
    At the bottom, they are digested by a pool of liquid containing digestive enzymes.

    Pitcher Plant – Flesh Eating Plant

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