Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F.

Boán)

LESSON 3. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

INDEX
1. ANATOMY
a. Digestive tube/tract
b. Accessory glands
2. PHYSIOLOGY: digestive processes
3. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
4. HEALTHY HABITS

INTRODUCTION
Digestion is the process by which food changes into simple nutrients that can be
absorbed and used by the body cells. It consists of mechanical and chemical breakdown of
food into simpler chemical compounds.

1. ANATOMY: DIGESTIVE TRACT AND ASSOCIATED GLANDS

The digestive system consists of the

digestive tract (also digestive tube) and its
associated glands. The digestive tract is a
muscular tube 10-12 metres long (in an
adult). It begins in the mouth and ends in
the anus and it is divided in the following
parts: mouth (oral cavity), pharynx,
oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and
large intestine.

Figure 1

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

The associated glands produce chemicals that are released into the digestive tract and help
breaking down food. They are the SALIVARY GLANDS in the mouth, the GASTRIC GLANDS in
the stomach and the intestinal glands in the intestine. LIVER and PANCREAS are glands too.

Figure 2

The digestive tract walls are made up of three layers. The inner one is a mucous
membrane. One of the substances it produces is mucus that protects and lubricates. The
middle layer is made up of muscle. These muscles contract and relax, mixing the food with
digestive juices and push the mixture forward. The outer layer is connective tissue.

Figure 3. Layers of the digestive tract

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

2. PHYSIOLOGY: digestive processes

In each stage we will study separately the anatomy and the physiology of the organs
involved. Anatomy refers to what the organs are like and physiology refers to how they work.

DIGESTION IN THE MOUTH AND SWALLOWING

a) Anatomy.
*Mouth. Our teeth and tongue are there.

Figure 4. The mouth

The tongue is a muscle.

There are four types of teeth. Each type has a different role. The incisors have sharp
edges. The canines are pointed. The premolars and molars have flatter surfaces.

Figure 5. The teeth

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

*Salivary glands. There are three pairs of salivary glands in the mouth walls.
*Pharynx (also throat). This is a muscular tube that runs from the mouth to the
oesophagus.
*Oesophagus (Esophagus). This is a muscular tube that runs from the pharynx to the
stomach.

b) Physiology.
*Mouth. The teeth cut (incisors), tear (canines) and grind (premolars and molars) the
food.
The tongue moves the food around and mixes it with saliva. It also has taste buds that
taste the food.
The salivary glands produce
saliva. Saliva contains digestive
enzymes AMYLASES (a type of
proteins) that start changing
starch into sugars.
All these actions form the
FOOD BOLUS that will be
swallowed.
The process of swallowing
begins when the tongue pushes
the food bolus to the back of
the mouth and to the pharynx.

Figure 6. Swallowing
The muscles of the throat contract and push the bolus rearward and down to the top
of the oesophagus.
The oesophagus pushes the bolus down to the stomach. Peristaltic movements (1) push
the bolus along the oesophagus. They consist of the narrowing of the tube because of the
contraction of the muscles of the walls. The muscles contract successively down the tube and
the narrowing pushes the food.

Figure 7. Peristalsis
(1)
Peristaltic movements like these will carry the digestive tract contents all the way
along the digestive tube.

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

In short, in the mouth the digestion begins with actions both MECHANICAL (teeth,
tongue MASTICATION OR CHEWING; INSALIVATION; SWALLOWING; PERISTALSIS) and
CHEMICAL (saliva). The food bolus passes through the pharynx and the oesophagus down
towards the stomach.

DIGESTION IN THE STOMACH

a) Anatomy
*Stomach.

Figure 8.

The cardia is the opening of the oesophagus into the stomach.

The pylorus is a sphincter at the lower end of the stomach that opens into the
duodenum. A sphincter is a ring-like muscle that normally maintains constriction of a body
passage or orifice and that relaxes when necessary. The stomach has a capacity of 2 litres and
the stomach walls have 3 layers.

b) Physiology.
*The cardia opens and let the bolus get into the stomach.
*In the stomach:
-The inner layer is a mucous membrane that secretes gastric juice. This contains
HCl (hydrochloric acid) and digestive enzymes, PROTEASES. These enzymes begin to transform
proteins into amino acids.
-The middle layer is a muscular one. IT MOVES THE FOOD AROUND AND MIXES
it with gastric juice.
The digestion in the stomach lasts from 1 to 5 hours. As a result, a semi-liquid mass
called CHYME is produced.
*Pylorus. The chime gradually leaves the stomach through the pylorus.

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

DIGESTION IN THE SMALL INTESTINE

a) Anatomy.
*Small intestine. It is 6 or 7 metres long and its wall has three layers. It has three parts,
duodenum, jejunum and ileum.

Figure 9. Small intestine

*Liver. It is a very big and complex organ that acts as a gland in the digestion process.
It weighs up to 1.5 kilograms. The liver is connected to the gallbladder and the duodenum.
*Pancreas. It is a gland that lies behind the stomach. It is connected to the duodenum.

Figure 10. Liver and pancreas

b) Physiology.
*Small intestine:
-The inner layer is a mucous membrane that secretes pancreatic juice. This
contains various kinds of digestive enzymes (2).

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

-THE MUSCULAR LAYER MIXES ALL THE SUBSTANCES AND PUSHES THE
INTESTINE CONTENT towards the large intestine.
*Liver. It secretes bile that is stored in the gallbladder. When bile is needed it is
released into the duodenum. Bile helps break down fats.
*Pancreas. It secretes pancreatic juice that contains various digestive enzymes (2). The
pancreatic juice is emptied into the duodenum.

(2)
These digestive enzymes, LIPASES, PEPTIDASES, AMYLASES, complete the breakdown of
food into simple nutrients (sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, etc.)

A liquid high in simple nutrients is produced as a result of the digestion in the small
intestine. This liquid is called CHYLE. The water and nutrients of the chyle can pass through
the intestine wall and get into the blood. This process is called absorption.

INTESTINAL ABSORPTION

After digestion all the nutrients have to reach the cells. But first they have to pass from
the chyle in the intestine to the blood that will distribute them to all the cells in the body.
Absorption consists of the passage of the nutrients across the intestine wall into the blood
vessels.

The inner layer of the intestine wall is a mucous membrane covered by intestinal villi.
These are finger-like folds of the membrane. Villi have many tiny blood vessels called
capillaries. The blood in these capillaries takes the nutrients coming from the chyle.

Figure 11. Intestinal villi

The plasma membrane of the cells that make up the villi wall have tiny hair-like folds
called microvilli. These microvilli enlarge the contact surface between the chyle and the
intestine wall so the absorption is carried out more easily and quickly.

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

Figure 12.

THE LARGE INTESTINE. FORMATION AND ELIMINATION OF WASTE

The remains of the chyle that cannot be used pass into the large intestine. This is
shorter but thicker than the small intestine and does not have villi.

Figure 13. Large intestine

Absorption of water and some nutrients produced by bacteria (3) is carried out in the
large intestine.

(3)
Billions of “friendly” bacteria live in our large intestine, forming the MICROBIOTA.
They feed on the remains that have not been absorbed and produce some vitamins. They help
form the faeces, too. At least one-third of the weight of faeces is composed of these bacteria.

Faeces are formed as a result of water absorption and bacterial activity. Peristaltic
movements push the faeces towards the anus.

The anus opening is controlled by two sphincters. The internal sphincter is involuntary
and opens automatically when the faeces arrive. The external one is voluntary and opens
when the individual wants it to.

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3. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES

Caries. It is the destruction of tooth enamel provoked by the bacteria that live in the
mouth and feed on food, mainly sugars, left among the teeth. This process leads to the
formation of cavities.

Figure 14. Caries

Ulcer. It is an injury in the mucous membrane of the stomach or the duodenum. It may
cause haemorrhage and is mainly produced by bacteria.

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

Hepatitis. It is an inflammation of the liver, caused by infectious or toxic agents like

alcohol and some medicines. It can be very serious.

Cirrhosis. It is the final stage of alcoholic liver disease. As the cells are permanently
damaged, the liver is unable to carry out its normal functions. As a result the individual may
die.

Intestinal infections. They are produced by bacteria from contaminated water or food
that we consume. Most of them are usually called gastroenteritis and do not have serious
consequences. On the other hand, some can be very serious and can cause death, like cholera.

Appendicitis. It is an inflammation of the appendix, which is the worm-shaped pouch

attached to the caecum, the beginning of the large intestine. Appendicitis is a medical
emergency, and if it is left untreated the appendix may rupture and cause a potentially fatal
infection.

Constipation. This is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur

less often than usual or consist of hard, dry faeces that are painful or difficult to eliminate.
Constipation usually results from not getting enough exercise, not drinking enough water, or
from a diet that does not include an adequate amount of fibre-rich foods like beans, bran
cereals, fruits, raw vegetables, rice, and whole-grain breads.

Gastroenteritis. Inflammation of the stomach or the small intestine usually produced

by an infection (bacteria, virus). The mains symptoms are vomiting and diarrohoea, stomach
pain, fever, headache, chills. Dehydration is the principal problem; the intake of liquids must
be increased. Ex: Cholera, Salmonellosis, etc

4. HEALTHY HABITS

• Eat slowly and chew well. Maintain a regular eating

schedule
• Eat food rich in fibre
• Drink water (2L/day)
• Don’t drink alcohol
• Wash your hands
• Be careful when you travel
• Prevent tooth decay
• Practise sport

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

SPECIFIC VOCABULARY
Anatomy əˈnætəmi Anatomía
Anus ˈeɪnəs Ano
Bile baɪl Bilis
Breakdown ˈbreɪkdaʊn Rotura
Caecum ˈsiːkəm Ciego
Canine ˈkeɪnaɪn Canino
Capillary kəˈpɪlərɪ Capilar
Cardia ˈkɑːdiə Cardias
Caries ˈkeəriːz Caries
Cavity ˈkævɪtɪ Cavidad
Chyle ʧaɪl Quilo
Chyme ʧaɪm Quimo
Cirrhosis sɪˈrəʊsɪs Cirrosis
Constipation ˌkɒnstɪˈpeɪʃn Estreñimiento
Constriction kənˈstrɪkʃn Constricción
Contract, to tu kənˈtrækt Contraerse
Duodenum ˌdjuːəˈdiːnəm Duodeno
Enamel ɪˈnæml Esmalte
Enzyme ˈenzaɪm Enzima
Food bolus fuːd ˈbəʊləs Bolo alimenticio
Gallbladder gɔːl ˈblædə Vesícula biliar
Gastric ˈgæstrɪk Gástrico
Gland glænd Glándula
Haemorrhage ˈhemərɪʤ Hemorragia
HCl (hydrochloric acid) haɪdrəˈklɒrɪk ˈæsɪd Ácido clorhídrico
Ileum ˈɪliəm Íleon
Incisor ɪnˈsaɪzə(r) Incisivo
Jejunum ʤɪˈʤuːnəm Yeyuno
Juice ʤuːs Jugo
Large intestine lɑːʤ ɪnˈtestɪn Intestino grueso
Layer ˈleɪə(r) Capa
Liver ˈlɪvə(r) Hígado
Microvillus ˌmaɪkrəʊˈvɪləs Microvellosidad
Molar ˈməʊlə(r) Molar
Mouth maʊθ Boca
Mucus ˈmjuːkəs Mucus, moco
Narrowing ˈnærəʊɪŋ Estrechamiento
Oesophagus iːˈsɒfəgəs Esófago
Opening ˈəʊpənɪŋ Abertura
Pancreas ˈpæŋkrɪəs Páncreas
Peristaltic ˌperɪˈstæltɪk Peristáltico
Pharynx ˈfærɪŋks Faringe
Physiology ˌfɪzɪˈɒləʤɪ Fisiología
Premolar ˌpriːˈməʊlə(r) Premolar
Pylorus ˈpaɪlɒrəs Píloro
Salivary ˈsælɪvərɪ Salivar
Small intestine smɔːl ɪnˈtestɪn Intestino delgado
Sphincter ˈsfɪŋktə(r) Esfínter
Stomach ˈstʌmək Estómago
Swallowing ˈswɒləʊɪŋ Deglución (tragar)
Teeth tiːθ Dientes
Throat θrəʊt Garganta
Tongue tʌŋ Lengua
Tract trækt Tracto

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Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

Ulcer ˈʌlsə Úlcera

Villus (pl. villi) ˈvɪləs (pl. ˈvɪlaɪ, ˈvɪliː) Vellosidad (es)

NON-SPECIFIC VOCABULARY
Arrive, to tə əˈraɪv Llegar
begin, to tu bɪˈgɪn Empezar
Behind bɪˈhaɪnd Detrás
Content kənˈtent Contenido
cut, to tu kʌt Cortar
Damage ˈdæmɪʤ Daño
Each iːʧ Cada
Edge eʤ Extremo
empty, to tə ˈemptɪ Vaciar
enlarge, to tə ɪnˈlɑːʤ Agrandar
Enough ɪˈnʌf Suficiente
Flat flæt Plano
grind, to tu graɪnd Moler
Injury ˈɪnʤərɪ Herida
last, to tu lɑːst Durar
lead, to tu liːd Llevar a, conducir
leave, to tu liːv Dejar, abandonar
lie, to tu laɪ Estar situado
mix, to tu mɪks Mezclar
Pointed ˈpoɪntɪd En punta
Pouch paʊʧ Bolsa pequeña
Rearward ˈrɪəwəd Hacia atrás
Remains rɪˈmeɪnz Restos
Required rɪˈkwaɪəd Requerido, necesitado
Ring-like rɪŋ laɪk Con forma de anillo
share, to tu ʃeə Compartir
Sharp ʃɑːp Afilado
Short ʃɔːt Corto
Surface ˈsɜːfɪs Superficie
tear, to tu teə Desgarrar
Thick θɪk Grueso
weigh, to tu weɪ Pesar

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 Biology DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 3rd ESO (Isabel F. Boán)

ES
ITI
CTIV
A

EXERCISES:
1. Make a three-column table. In the first column, put the parts of the digestive trac. In the
second, the mechanical digestive processes that occur in each part. In the last, list the
chemical processes.
DISGESTIVE TRACT (PARTS) MECHANICAL PROCESSES CHEMICAL PROCESSES

ES
ITI
CTIV
A

2. Make a poster about one disease of the digestive system. Explain the disease, organs affected
symptoms and causes

3. List 4 foods that can help to prevent constipation

VIDEO INFORMATION: YOU HAVE SOME VIDEOS UPLOADED TO AULES

1. [Link]

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