Unit 2 Compendium Review #2

Outline:

1. Digestion

mechanical

chemical

movement

absorption

elimination

2. Nutrition and Diet

obesity

classes of nutrients

3. Diabetes

symtoms

how to take care of

Digestion:

Digestion can be mechanical or chemical. Mechanical digestion occurs when food is divided into pieces that can be acted on by digestive enzymes. Mechanical digestion occurs primarily in the mouth and stomach. Chemical digestion begins in the mouth and is not completed until food reaches the small intestine. I once heard that digestion starts as soon as you swallow your your first bite. It makes sense though.

Movement is very important in the digestive system. Food must be passed along from one organ to the next and indigestible remains must be expelled. Movement is a big part because you have to get to the next step in order to move on.

Absorption occurs as unit molecules produced by digestion cross the wall of the GI tract and enter the cells lining the tract. Then the nutrients enter the blood for delivery to the cells.

Elimination we all do and if we couldn't we would be in some trouble. It is when molecules that cannot be digested need to be eliminated from the body and they leave through the anus in the form of feces. Better known as "going to the bathroom".

So, basically in digestion it goes like this: We put food into our mouth and chew it up with our teeth and tongue.Then, we swallow and the tongue pushes a bolus of food up against the soft palate. Then, the soft palate closes off the nasal cavities and the epiglottis closes off the larynx so the bolus of food enters the esophagus. Then, food moves through a sphincter into the stomach. The stomach stores food, initiates the digestion of protein, and controls the movement of chyme into the small intestine.

Nutrition and Diet:

Obesity is being grossly overweight and has doubled in the United States in only 20 years. It is really on the rise throught the world. In my opinion it is very easy to become obese because of all the fast food places in the world. I don't think anybody cooks good homecooked meals anymore. It is more convient to pick up something on the way home from work or school. Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 32 or greater. You can calculate your body mass index as long as you already know your weight and height.

Classes of Nutrients:

Nutrients provide us with energy, growth and development, and regulate metabolism. Some nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals, calcium, sodium and vitamins. Plants are a good source of carbohydrates. Beans are a good source of proteins. Calcium is needed for construction of bones and teeth and for nerve conduction and muscle contraction. Sodium is major in regulating the body's water balance. Vitamins are what the body uses for metabolic purposes. Vitamins C, E, and A are believed to defend the body against free radicals. These vitamins are abundant in fruits and vegetables.

Diabetes:

Diabetes is a progressive autoimmune disease in which the beta cells that produce insulin are destroyed by the body's own immune system. The symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, unusual thirst, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, and nausea and vomiting. The treatment for diabetes is Insulin for the control of blood glucose levels in diabetes. Diabetes is a very common problem for a lot of people. Some people can regulate it with diet and exercise. Others have to have insulin.