Iman Ali
63P
8C Nutrition and Health
Introduction: Throughout this assignment, I will be writing about the digestive
system along with nutrition and health. Firstly, I will be explaining the structure, role
and location of the organs involved in digestion. Secondly, I will correctly be
conducting a range of different investigations to establish sources and the
importance of key nutrients for a normal, healthy, and balanced diet. Thirdly I will
be describing the symptoms of nutrient deficiency as a result of a related dietary
disease. As I will be describing the symptoms of nutrient deficiency, I will then later
explain the use of three corrective treatments for nutrient deficiency. Fourthly, I will
be analysing the role of digestive enzymes on nutrient uptake in each part of the
digestive system. Lastly, I will then end my assignment by evaluating the effect of
dietary disease that I have chosen and its associated corrective treatments on human
health.
The digestive system and its importance
Food consumed is subdivided into soluble and smaller molecules and
then absorbed into the lymph system or blood stream through the
digestive system, which is made up of a range of different crucial
organs. There are also accessory organs, that include the pancreas,
gall bladder and liver that have the role of successfully disposing of
waste substances and materials, breaking down the food that is
consumed and extracting the nutrients that may be present within the
food.
When it comes to the digestive system, it is one of the major systems
that people are more aware of than any other system because of its frequent and
continuous messages. Thirst, wind, bowel movements and most importantly hunger are
very crucial, and all affect the daily human life. A healthy digestive system: Regular exercise
and eating a well and balanced diet are the foundations of a healthy digestive system and
are crucial for the overall health of the digestive system. A range of different fruits and
fresh vegetables, adequate amount of fibre and a low intake of salt and animal fats are the
basic guidelines for maintaining and managing not just the well-being and health of the
digestive system but the whole body. This is why the health of the digestive system is so
important as it does not only just impact the digestive system but impacts the whole body.
Digestive anatomy and how food travels when consumed
As mentioned previously the digestive system contains its
organs of the alimentary canal, along with the accessory organs,
the liver, the pancreas, and the gallbladder which as mentioned
previously extracts nutrients, breakdown the food consumed by
an individual and lastly and most importantly disposes of the
waste material.
Food begins a journey via numerous muscle tubes and
chambers after eating a meal or drinking, which can take up to
24 hours to travel a distance of nine metres also known as 30
feet. Food is broken and pulverised by the teeth during
chewing, which starts the process. The bolus of food that forms
then goes down the mouth also known as the (pharynx) and
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63P
down the oesophagus to the stomach, large intestine, small intestine, and anus. Then, Food
is broken down into molecules that are small enough to be absorbed and enter into the
bloodstream by chemicals within the small intestine. What cannot be digested and
absorbed becomes faeces in the large intestine, which is then evacuated through the anus.
Peristalsis is a muscle contraction mechanism that moves food through the digestive
system.
Overall, the digestive system is made up of various glands, including the salivary glands, the
pancreas, which generates strong digestive fluids, and the liver, which is the body's main
nutrition processor.
Illustrated Image of The Digestive system Digital image Of the Digestive system
The anatomy and the Physiology of the digestive system
As stated previously the digestive system contains a variety of
different organs and associated organs. I will be writing about
the structure, function, and roles of these organs and why
they are so vital. These organs/structures contain the buccal
cavity also known as the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus,
stomach, small intestine which within it includes the jejunum,
duodenum and ileum, the large intestine which within it
includes the appendix, caecum, rectum, colon and anal canal,
the pancreas, liver and lastly the gallbladder. The accessory
organs are the liver, salivary glands, pancreas, and
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63P
gallbladder. All of these structures have their own functions and speciality.
1) The buccal cavity
In human anatomy, the mouth also known as the buccal cavity or
oral cavity is the opening through which food and drink enter the
body. The lips open to the outside and empty and drain into the
throat at the back; the cheeks, lips soft and hard palates and the
glottis determine the mouths boundaries.
The vestibule. The vestibule is the region between the teeth and
the cheeks and the mouth (oral cavity) which is separated into two
portions. The tongue, a large and strong muscle rigidly connected
by the frenulum lingulae to the floor of the mouth. This fills the
latter section.
The mouth and its structures are critical in the production of
speech in addition to their fundamental roles in food intake and
digestion.
The teeth. The teeth are the chief structures of the mouth and is the most important as
they grind, and tear ingested food that needs to be swallowed. The tongue mixes and
positions food, along with this it also contains sensory receptors that enable and individual
to taste their food. These are commonly known as ‘taste buds.’ Lastly, the palate divides
the oral cavity from the nasal cavity, permitting separate passageways for food, drink, and
air.
To continue with this, there are also the salivary glands that come in three
pairs and are located behind and under the jaw. These are known as the
sublingual, parotid, and submandibular. For digestion and breakdown, the
important salivary gland is the parotid gland which produces amylase. As
we know the human saliva contain an enzyme. This enzyme is known as
amylase and has the role of breaking down food, it begins the breakdown
of carbohydrates into sugars. The tongue's movements assist in moving and pushing the
wet, moist, soft mass of food to the rear of the mouth, where it has the ability to be
swallowed and go through the oesophagus and to the stomach.
Step by step of absorption and digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth.
Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth, both physically and
chemically. Chewing also known as mastication breaks down the foods
that contain carbohydrates into smaller molecules or pieces. As
mentioned, the enzyme known as amylase is found within the saliva.
Amylase breaks down the bonds in between oligosaccharides,
disaccharides, and starch monomeric sugar molecules/units. So, salivary
amylase breaks down amylopectin and amylose in maltose and dextrin.
Maltose and dextrin are smaller chains of glucose. To continue, the
chemical and mechanical breakdown of the starches in whole grains
results in an increased concentration of maltose within the tongue which
then enhances the sweetness within them. When it comes to the breakdown of starches
within the mouth only 5% of starch in the mouth is broken down. This is positive thing as
more glucose within the mouth can lead to an individual developing tooth decay. Because
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63P
the enzyme amylase does not function in the stomach's acidic environment, no extra
chemical breakdown occurs when the carbohydrates reach the stomach. However,
mechanical breakdown continues as these stomach's powerful contractions mix and
combined the carbohydrates consumed into a more homogeneous chyme mixture. These
contractions that combine and mix the carbohydrates are known as peristaltic contractions.
2) The pharynx
The pharynx also commonly referred to as the throat, connects the
nose and mouth to the larynx and oesophagus. During breathing or
respiration, the pharynx allows ingested liquids and solids too move
it into the oesophagus transports air from into the trachea, also
known as the windpipe. The Eustachian Tube (the middle ear and
the nasal sinus cavity are connected by this opening), links the
pharynx to the cavity of the middle air on each of the sides, allowing
the pressure of air to be equalised on the membrane of the add row, which divides the
middle ears cavity from the external/outer air canal.
When it comes to the structure of the pharynx it resembles a final that has been flattered.
it is connected to the structures that are surrounding; however, it is loose and flexible
enough to enable the pharyngeal wall to glide across them during the movements caused by
swallowing. The three pharyngeal constrictors,’ which overlap somewhat and comprise the
major musculature of the rear and side pharyngeal wall, are the main crucial muscles of the
pharynx, that is involved and essential in the mechanics and process of swallowing.
To continue, with the structure of the pharynx, it is divided in three sections, the nasal
pharynx, laryngeal pharynx, and the oral pharynx. Both the digestive and respiratory system
share the oral pharynx, whereas the latter 2 are Airways. A Palatine tonsil is located on each
side of the entrance between the oral pharynx and mouth cavity and is named for its
closeness to the palate. The glossopalatine arches/bridges are to vertical folds of the
membrane of the mucous that separates each of the Palatine tonsils.
Lastly, the soft palate. the soft palate separates the nasal pharynx, from the oral pharynx as
seen on the image on the right. On the roof/top of the nasal pharynx, there is another set
of tonsils. These are known as the pharyngeal tonsils, also referred to as adenoids and they
are a crucial aspect of the immune system.
Function of the pharynx: as mentioned previously the pharynx, how's the role of carrying
liquids, solids, and air down from the nose under the mouth.
Stages of swallowing: The first stage of swallowing or deglutition, involves the voluntary
movement of the bolus into the throat (pharynx). Mastication or chewing is suspended,
respiration or breathing is restricted on the rear back section of the tongue is lifted and then
retracted/pushed against the hard palate. Because of this action, generated by the strong
and powerful muscles of the tongue the bolus is forced from the buccal cavity (the mouth)
into the pharynx. Then, the soft palate is elevated against the posterior (back) pharyngeal
Wool, preventing the bolus from entering the nasal pharynx (Where you breathe from).
The larynx slides forward and upwards beneath the tongues base as the bolus is forced and
driven into the Pharynx. After this, the superior Pharyngeal constrictor muscles
tighten/contracted causing a fast pharyngeal peristaltic (contraction) or gripping contraction
that propels the bolus in front of it and down the throat (pharynx). The lower pharynx walls
and structures are raised to engulf or absorb the impending quantity of food for less stop
