RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The pathway of air begins in our nasal cavities (or oral cavity) to the
Pharynx. Air then travels down the throat via the larynx and trachea. Air goes into the
lungs via the right and left primary bronchi. Into the secondary, tertiary bronchi. The
smaller bronchi divide into even smaller tubes called bronchioles. Bronchioles lead to
tiny air sacs (the alveoli) in which the trade of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs.

The digestive system plays an important role in

the absorption of nutrients into the body. It takes
the food we ingest, breaks it down mechanically
and chemically in the mouth and stomach. It then
absorbs nutrients, fats, proteins and water in the
intestines before eliminating the waste through
the rectum.
Major organs involved in the digestive system
include the mouth, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, liver, pancreas.
The digestive system is designed to do a few
major things. They can be grouped into four
categories:
1. Ingestion
2. Digestion
3. Breakdown
4. Excretion

I am going to recite the digestion of Food from Mouth to Anus

Para maintindihan kung pano ma digest ang ating pagkain sa ating digestive system, mag
umpisa tayo sa mouth.

Salivary glands- make saliva, which aids in digestion, keeps our mouth moist and supports
healthy teeth. Saliva contains special enzymes that help digest the starches in our food. And
that enzyme is called amylase to be specific.

As food enters our mouth, our teeth begin mechanically breaking down the food into
small and smaller portions by chewing. The saliva starts to chemically break it down as well.

Our nervous system is helping to move the bolus (it is the food package you swallowed),
down throat. And then we have also epiglottis, a small flap of skin that makes sure our food
goes down to our esophagus. Movements of the smooth muscles, known as peristalsis. And
the peristalsis help move that bolus down your esophagus. When it reaches your stomach, a
sphincter opens and dumps the food in.

Inside the stomach, cells start to secrete different acids that help increase acidity to a
pH of 2. And pH of 2 is considered as strong acid. This strong acidic environment kills most
bacteria and starts to chemically break apart the food. Movements of the smooth muscles in
the stomach, known as peristalsis mix and churn the food up more. After the food has been
well mixed and has a consistency of oatmeal or like a lugaw, it is ready to move to the small
intestine. At this stage it is known as chyme.
To move into the small intestine, chyme must pass through the pyloric sphincter. From
here it enters the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. The liver mixes in bile,
which helps break down fats in the food. The pancreas also secretes digestive enzymes
that aid in digestion.

Most of the nutrients are absorbed from the small intestine and moved into the blood
stream via a system of small folds, called vili.
After the food moves through the small intestine it enters the large intestine. The large
intestine is named for the diameter of the cavity and not for the length. It is actually
much shorter than the small intestine. The role of the large intestine is to remove any
extra water from the digested material before it is finally excreted.

So what happens to our digestive system when we don’t take any food?
During the first eight hours, our body will continue to digest our last intake of food. Our
body will use stored glucose as energy and continue to function as though we will be eating
again soon. After eight hours without eating, our body will begin to use stored fats for
energy.

So in summary, digestive process is to

1. Digestion or the breakdown of food occurs in stomach and mouth
2. Propulsion which moves food through digestive tract includes swallowing and peristalsis
3. Absorption, it is the primarily duodenum and jejunum of small intestine
4. And lastly, the Defecation or elimination of waste in the form of feces or poop.