Digestion

Abhilashini Gunaseelan

2017
Index
1. About
2. Introduction
3. Components
a. Mouth
b. Salivary glands
c. Pharynx
d. Epiglottis
e. Oesophagus
f. Diaphragm.
g. Stomach
h. Spleen.
i. Gall bladder
j. Liver
k. Pancreas..
l. Duodenum
m. Small Intestine..
n. Cecum...
o. Large Intestine
p. Peritoneum
4. Ingestion of Food
a. Mastication
b. Deglutition
5. Digestive enzymes
6. Absorption
7. Defaecation
8. Metabolism
9. Blood Supply
10. Nerve Supply
11. Digestive juices.
a. Functions of digestive juices
b. Control of digestive secretions
12. Diseases..
a. Mouth
b. Diaphragm
c. Stomach
 d. Spleen
e. Liver
f. Pancreas
g. Lower gastrointestinal tract
13. Nutritional requirements
a. Classes of Food
i. Carbohydrates
ii. Fats
iii. Proteins
iv. Vitamins
v. Minerals
vi. Fibre
vii. Water
b. Malnutrition and Undernutrition
c. Eating Disorders
14. Resources
About

The project paper is about the digestive tract in the human body.
Many different components of the human digestive tract are explained
thoroughly. Process of the ingestion of food, digestive enzymes,
absorption, defaecation, metabolism, blood supply, nerve supply,
digestive juices as well as certain major disease are explained. This
project paper also includes additional topics such as nutritional
requirements for a human being, malnutrition and its effects, and
eating disorders.

When writing this project paper, I have realized the amazing

complexity of the human digestive system; how small and specific
cells work together smoothly to make up a beautiful structure which is
the base of human survival.

I would like to thank Pn. Khoo for inspiring me to carry out this task
and the information that she has given me during lessons. I am also
thankful that my parents manage to give me certain explanations for
certain minor components of the human digestive tract. Lastly, I am
thankful that I have a variety of resources, ranging from the internet to
science books, to biology books and to medical books that have
certainly helped me a lot in putting this project paper together.
 Introduction

Nutrients are fundamental for the proper function of the human

body, such as brain function, nerve function and growth and repair of
tissue. These nutrients are readily and naturally found in food. To get
these nutrients, the food must go through a complex process of
breaking down to attain the required nutrients. This task is carried out
by the digestive system. The digestive system consists of the
alimentary tract and digestive glands.

The digestive tract is about 8 to 10 metres long, has many stages

and is divided into the following parts; oral cavity, pharynx,
oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum. The
gallbladder, pancreas, salivary glands, tongue and liver are the
accessory organs that help with digestion but are not exactly
interconnected with the alimentary canal. The structure of the
different parts of the tract have common and special features.

In the digestive system, the size of the food particles must be

reduced to tinier pieces so that enzyme action can happen as the tiny
food particles move through the alimentary tract. Once the enzymes
break the food down, we can easily absorb the nutrients, into our
blood stream to then nourish trillions of cells. Residues that could not
be used by the body is then eliminated.

The project paper will now explain further about the human
digestive system with detailed trustworthy information and diagrams
to illustrate the magnificence of the human digestive tract.
Components

Mouth

Salivary Glands

Pharynx
 Epiglottis

Oesophagus

Diaphragm

Stomach
 Spleen

Gall bladder
 Liver

Pancreas

Duodenum
Small Intestine

Cecum

Large Intestine
Peritoneum
Ingestion of Food

Mastication

Deglutition
Digestive Enzymes
Absorption
Defaecation
Metabolism
Blood Supply
Nerve Supply
Digestive Juices

Function of digestive juices

Control of digestive secretions

Diseases
Mouth

Diaphragm

Stomach
 Spleen

Liver

Gall Bladder
 Pancreas

Lower gastrointestinal tract

Nutritional requirements

Classes of Food
Carbohydrates

Proteins

Fats
Vitamins

Mineral

Fibre

Water
Malnutrition and Undernutrition
Eating disorders
Resources