The Digestive System

Paper Summary:

This paper describes and discusses the mechanism of the digestive system. It looks at the different organs and enzymes that are involved in the complex mechanical and biochemical processes of digestion. The paper focuses on the roles of saliva, the stomach and the small intestines. It then looks at the absorption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Table of Contents:
Thesis
Introduction
The Saliva
The Stomach (Chemical and mechanical Breakdown)
The Small Intestine (Enzymatic Breakdown and Absorption)
Absorption of Nutrients
Absorption of Vitamins and Minerals
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The human digestive system is an intriguing mechanism involving different organs and enzymes in a complex mechanical and biochemical processes. Starting from the mouth and ending in the small intestine, the entire digestive mechanism is highly evolved and controlled by involuntary reflex actions that are triggered at every point by particular stimulus factors. While the stomach is the place where the main part of digestion begins, it is the small intestine where the final breakdown of respective ingredients occurs. The small intestine is also the region through which the finely broken down substances are absorbed back into the blood stream or the lymphatic system. The entire digestive process and the activities inside the alimentary canal offer an interesting peep into the amazing world of biochemical processes and cellular biomechanics."

Sample of Sources Used:

• M.J. Farabee, "The Digestive System", Accessed 24th July 2006, Available at, http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/BioBookDIGEST.html
• MSU, "Human Anatomy", Accessed on July 25th 2006, Available at, http://people.morehead-st.edu/fs/m.mcmurr/231-L19.html
• SPC, "Digestive System", Accessed 26th July 2006, Available at, http://www.spc.cc.tx.us/biology/lsimpson/Biol2402/Lecture%20Notes/Digsys.pdf
• R. Bowen, "Salivary Glands and Saliva", Accessed 25th July 2006, Available at, http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pregastric/salivary.html
• R. Bowen, "Absorption of Monosaccharides ", Accessed 25th July 2006, Available at, http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/smallgut/absorb_sugars.html

More papers on The Digestive System:

• Essay # 72806 : "The Digestive System"
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• Research Paper # 92416 : "Digestive System"

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