KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY

Department of Biochemistry
Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta-577 451

Seminar on:
“Gastrointestinal Tract”
Presented by Guided by
Keerthana M N AVINASH B
M.Sc. 1st semester Professor
Department of Department of Biochemistry
Biochemistry Kuvempu University
Kuvempu University
 CONTENT

• INTRODUCTION
• FUNCTIONS OF GI SYSTEM
• ALIMENTARY ORGANS
• ACCESSORY DIGESTIVE ORGANS
• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCE
 GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
The Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract, Also Known As The Digestive
Tract Or Alimentary Canal, Is A Long, Continuous Tube That
Starts At The Mouth And Ends At The Anus. Its Main Function
Is To Digest Food, Absorb Nutrients, And Eliminate Waste.
Main Functions
1.Ingestion – Taking In Food Through The Mouth.
2.Digestion – Breaking Down Food Mechanically And
Chemically.
3.Absorption – Nutrients From Food Are Absorbed Into The
Bloodstream.
4.Excretion – Undigested And Unabsorbed Food Is Removed As
Feces.
 ALIMENTARY ORGANS

Alimentary organs are the hollow organs of the alimentary canal responsible for the
ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination of food.
1.Mouth
•First part of the digestive system.
•Involved in ingestion (taking in food).
•Teeth grind food (mechanical digestion).
•Salivary glands secrete saliva containing amylase, which begins carbohydrate
digestion.
•The tongue helps in mixing food and pushing it toward the pharynx.

2.Pharynx (Throat)
•A muscular funnel-shaped structure.
•Common pathway for both air (to the lungs) and food (to the esophagus).
•Swallowing (deglutition) occurs here.
•Prevents food from entering the windpipe using the epiglottis.
3. ESOPHAGUS
• A MUSCULAR TUBE (~25 CM LONG) CONNECTING THE PHARYNX TO THE
STOMACH.
• TRANSPORTS FOOD VIA PERISTALSIS – WAVE-LIKE MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS.
• ENDS AT THE LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER, WHICH PREVENTS STOMACH
ACID FROM COMING BACK UP (REFLUX).
4. STOMACH
• A J-SHAPED MUSCULAR ORGAN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE UPPER ABDOMEN.
• TEMPORARILY STORES FOOD AND MIXES IT WITH GASTRIC JUICES.
• SECRETES HYDROCHLORIC ACID (HCL) AND ENZYMES LIKE PEPSIN (DIGESTS
PROTEINS).
• CONVERTS FOOD INTO CHYME (SEMI-LIQUID MIXTURE).
• HAS RUGAE – FOLDS THAT ALLOW THE STOMACH TO EXPAND.
• SMALL INTESTINE
• STRUCTURE:
• DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS: DUODENUM, JEJUNUM, AND ILEUM.
• LINED WITH VILLI AND MICROVILLI TO INCREASE SURFACE AREA FOR
ABSORPTION.
• FUNCTIONS:
• DUODENUM: RECEIVES BILE (FROM THE LIVER AND GALLBLADDER) AND
PANCREATIC JUICE (FROM THE PANCREAS) TO CONTINUE DIGESTION.
• BILE: EMULSIFIES FATS.
• PANCREATIC ENZYMES: DIGEST CARBOHYDRATES, PROTEINS, AND LIPIDS.
• JEJUNUM AND ILEUM: PRIMARY SITES FOR NUTRIENT ABSORPTION VIA
DIFFUSION, ACTIVE TRANSPORT, AND FACILITATED TRANSPORT.
• INTESTINAL SECRETIONS: CONTAIN ENZYMES LIKE MALTASE, LACTASE, AND
PEPTIDASES FOR FURTHER DIGESTION.
• LARGE INTESTINE
• STRUCTURE:
• INCLUDES THE CECUM, COLON (ASCENDING, TRANSVERSE, DESCENDING,
SIGMOID), RECTUM, AND ANUS.
• FUNCTIONS:
• WATER AND ELECTROLYTE ABSORPTION: RECOVERS WATER AND
MINERALS FROM INDIGESTIBLE FOOD.
• FERMENTATION: GUT MICROBIOTA BREAKS DOWN UNDIGESTED
CARBOHYDRATES TO PRODUCE GASES AND SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACIDS.
• FORMATION OF FECES: CONSOLIDATES WASTE MATERIAL.
• DEFECATION: ELIMINATION OF FECES THROUGH THE RECTUM AND ANUS.
 ACCESSORY ORGANS
• Accessory Organs Are Not Part Of The Alimentary Canal, But They Play A Vital Role In Digestion By
Producing And Secreting Substances Like Enzymes, Bile, Or Hormones That Help Break Down Food.

Salivary glands
Function of saliva:
are glands in the mouth that make saliva, a
watery fluid that helps in digestion,  Begins the digestion of starch (via
lubrication, and oral hygiene. salivary amylase).
Found in and around the mouth and throat.  Moistens food for easier
Types (3 main pairs): swallowing.
 Parotid glands – largest; located near  Cleans the mouth and protects
the ears. teeth.
 Submandibular glands – beneath the
 Aids in taste by dissolving food
lower jaw.
 Sublingual glands – under the tongue. molecules.
 TEETH
• Mechanical Breakdown:
Teeth Chew (Masticate) Food, Breaking It • Mixing with Saliva:
Down Into Smaller Pieces To Increase The While chewing, food mixes with
Surface Area For Enzymes To Act On. saliva that contains enzymes like
• Types Of Teeth And Their Functions: amylase, which starts the digestion
of starch.
• Incisors (Front Teeth) Cut The Food. • Triggers Digestive Reflexes:
• Canines Tear Food, Especially Meat. Chewing stimulates the production
of saliva and sends signals to the
• Premolars And Molars Grind And Crush The
stomach to prepare for digestion.
Food. • Protects the Digestive Tract:
• Facilitates Swallowing: Properly chewed food is less likely
Chewed Food (Bolus) Becomes Soft And to damage the esophagus and
Moist With Saliva, Making It Easier To stomach lining.
Swallow.
 LIVER
•Produces Bile
•The liver makes bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down fats
in the small intestine.
•Emulsifies Fats
•Bile breaks large fat droplets into smaller ones (emulsification),
making it easier for enzymes to digest them.
•Stores and Releases Bile
•Bile is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small
intestine when fatty food is eaten.
•Processes Nutrients
•The liver receives nutrients from the intestine and converts,
stores, or distributes them (e.g., turning excess glucose into
glycogen).
•Detoxifies Harmful Substances
•The liver filters and removes toxins, drugs, and harmful
substances from the blood.
 PANCREAS
• The Pancreas Is Not Part Of The Digestive Tract (Like The Stomach Or Intestines), But It
Plays A Supporting Role.
•Secretes Digestive Enzymes: The pancreas produces enzymes like amylase, lipase, and
proteases that help break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the small intestine.
•Produces Bicarbonate: It releases bicarbonate into the small intestine to neutralize
stomach acids, creating an optimal pH for enzyme function.
•Aids in Carbohydrate Digestion: The enzyme amylase produced by the pancreas helps
break down starches into simpler sugars for absorption.
•Supports Fat Digestion: Lipase, an enzyme secreted by the pancreas, breaks down fats
into fatty acids and glycerol for absorption.
•Regulates Blood Sugar: While not directly involved in digestion, the pancreas produces
insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels, which indirectly supports digestive
processes.
 GALLBLADDER
1.Stores Bile: The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver until it's needed for
digestion.
2.Releases Bile: When food enters the small intestine, the gallbladder releases bile
into the duodenum to aid in fat digestion.
3.Helps in Fat Emulsification: Bile breaks down large fat molecules into smaller
droplets, making it easier for enzymes to digest fats.
4.Improves Fat Absorption: By emulsifying fats, bile ensures better absorption of
fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) in the small intestine.
5.Regulates Bile Flow: The gallbladder contracts to release the stored bile in
response to signals from the digestive system when fatty foods are consumed.
 CONCLUSION,
The Gastrointestinal Tract Is A Vital System In The Body Responsible
For Digesting Food, Absorbing Nutrients, And Eliminating Waste. It
Consists Of Several Organs, Including The Mouth, Stomach, Intestines,
And Others, Working Together To Ensure The Body Gets The Nutrients
It Needs. Healthy Digestion Is Influenced By A Balanced Diet, Hydration,
And Regular Care. Problems With The GIT Can Lead To Discomfort And
Health Issues, So It's Important To Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle For
Proper Gastrointestinal Function.
 REFERENCE
• HTTPS://WWW.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/CORE/JOURNALS/BRITISH-JOURNAL-OF-N
UTRITION/ARTICLE/GASTROINTESTINAL-PHYSIOLOGY-AND-FUNCTIONS
• HTTPS://LINK.SPRINGER.COM/CHAPTER
• HTTPS://BOOKS.GOOGLE.CO.IN/BOOKS?HL=EN&LR=&ID=SWSRWUVW0KKC
&OI=FND&PG=PR5&DQ=PHYSIOLOGY+OF+THE+GASTROINTESTINAL+TRA
CT&OTS
• ESSENTIALS OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY, K SEMUBULINGAM PREMA
SEMBULINGAM, SIXTH EDITION