System

Definition

A system is a group of interacting or interrelated components that form a complex whole. In biology, systems often refer to groups of organs or structures working together to perform specific functions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The digestive system includes organs like the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs such as the liver and pancreas.
2. Regulation of the digestive system involves neural and hormonal mechanisms to ensure proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
3. The autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) plays a crucial role in controlling digestive processes.
4. Hormones like gastrin, secretin, and cholecystokinin are essential for regulating various functions within the digestive system.
5. Feedback mechanisms in the digestive system help maintain homeostasis by adjusting enzyme secretion and muscle contractions based on the body's needs.

Review Questions

• Which major organs constitute the human digestive system?
• How do neural mechanisms regulate the functioning of the digestive system?
• What roles do hormones play in the regulation of the digestive process?

Related terms

Homeostasis: The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite changes in external environments.

Autonomic Nervous System: The part of the nervous system responsible for control of bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, heartbeat, and digestive processes.

Hormone: Chemical substances produced in the body that regulate activity of cells or organs.