Digestive System

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a thorough explanation of the human digestive system and the process by which we digest our food. The paper discusses how the human digestive system is an intriguing mechanism involving different organs and enzymes in a complex mechanical and biochemical processes. The paper goes on to name and explain each process.

Outline:
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:

"A brief description of the structure of the stomach would help in gaining a better understanding of this important organ. The stomach is divided into four regions namely the Cardia, fundus, the body, and the pylorus. The stomach has two openings namely the cardiac orifice, which connects with the esophagus, and the pyloric orifice on its lower end, which leads to the duodenum. The fundus is the curved up area that extends above the cardiac orifice. The body or the intermediate region is the largest part of the stomach, which gradually leads to the pyloric portion that connects to the small intestine via the pyloric aperture. The stomach wall is composed of four different layers. The innermost layer is the mucosa. The mucosa is made up of gastric glands and gastric pits and secretes around 2 litres of gastric juice per day. This gastric juice is made up of HCL, protease (pepsin) and lipase. Parietal cells of the mucosa secrete hydrochloric acid. The goblet cells in the gastric pits that line the mucosa secrete mucus, producing the mucosal barrier that prevents the strong digestive acid from corroding the mucosa. [MSU]"

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

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