AP Biology: Ch. 40 And 41

The main function of the tongue is to move food around the mouth and aid in swallowing. The tongue is a muscular organ that helps in manipulating food during chewing and mixing it with saliva to form a bolus that can be easily swallowed. It also plays a crucial role in pushing the food towards the back of the throat and initiating the swallowing reflex. Additionally, the tongue helps in the perception of taste and assists in speech production.

The gall bladder's main functions are to store and modify bile. Bile is produced by the liver and helps in the digestion and absorption of fats. The gall bladder stores the bile and releases it into the small intestine when needed. It also modifies the bile by concentrating it and making it more potent. This modification helps in the breakdown of fats and aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The gall bladder does not have any role in forming feces or producing saliva.

The rectum is the terminal portion of the colon that stores feces until they are eliminated. It acts as a temporary storage area for waste material before it is expelled from the body. The rectum has muscular walls that help in the process of defecation by contracting and relaxing to push the feces out of the body through the anus. This function of the rectum is crucial for the elimination of waste and maintaining proper bowel movements.

Teeth in the digestive system function to cut, tear, and grind food. They play a crucial role in the mechanical breakdown of food, making it easier to swallow and digest. The different types of teeth, such as incisors, canines, and molars, have specific shapes and functions that aid in the process of breaking down food into smaller, more manageable pieces. Overall, teeth contribute to the initial stages of digestion by physically preparing food for further processing in the digestive system.

The main function of nervous tissue is to conduct electrical impulses, which allows for communication and coordination within the body. The structure of nervous tissue is primarily composed of neurons, which are the functional units responsible for transmitting these impulses. Neurons have specialized structures, such as dendrites and axons, that enable them to receive and transmit electrical signals. Therefore, the answer "conducts electrical impulses; functional part of neuron" accurately describes the main function and structure of nervous tissue.

The liver has multiple functions, including the production of bile, which aids in the digestion and absorption of fats. Additionally, the liver stores glycogen, lipids, and iron reserves, which are important for energy production and maintaining proper body function. The liver also plays a crucial role in detoxification by inactivating and eliminating toxins from the body.

The correct answer is "contracts and provides movement; long cells with myofibrils." Muscular tissue is responsible for generating force and movement in the body. It is composed of long cells called muscle fibers, which contain myofibrils that contract and relax to produce muscle contractions. This allows for various types of movement, such as walking, running, and lifting objects.

The epiglottis is a cartilaginous flap that covers the opening to the windpipe during swallowing. When we swallow, the epiglottis closes off the entrance to the trachea, preventing food or liquid from entering the airway. This helps to ensure that food and drink go down the esophagus and into the stomach, rather than entering the lungs. The epiglottis plays a crucial role in protecting the respiratory system during the swallowing process.

The appendix is a finger-like extension that forms from the cecum. It contains lymphoid tissue in its wall, which plays a minor role in the body's defense system.

The pancreas is responsible for producing digestive enzymes that help break down food in the small intestine. These enzymes, such as amylase, lipase, and protease, aid in the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins respectively. By producing these enzymes, the pancreas plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food.

The main function of the large intestine is to form feces and reabsorb water. The large intestine is responsible for absorbing water from the remaining indigestible food material and consolidating it into feces. It also absorbs certain nutrients and electrolytes. This process helps in maintaining the body's water balance and eliminating waste products from the body.

The jejunum is the second part of the small intestine and it is responsible for the absorption of digested food. It is a crucial site for the absorption of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, into the bloodstream. The jejunum has a large surface area due to its numerous folds and finger-like projections called villi, which increase the absorption capacity. This part of the small intestine plays a vital role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, ensuring that the body receives the necessary nutrients from the food we consume.

Epithelial tissue serves as a lining for body cavities, providing protection to underlying tissues and organs. It also has the ability to secrete and absorb substances. The structure of epithelial tissue is characterized by tightly packed cells, forming a continuous layer that acts as a barrier between different internal and external environments. This arrangement allows for efficient protection and regulation of substances entering or exiting the body.

The ileum is the last part of the small intestine and is responsible for the absorption of food. It is where the majority of nutrient absorption takes place, including vitamins, minerals, and bile salts. The ileum is lined with specialized cells called enterocytes that have microvilli, which increase the surface area for absorption. This part of the small intestine also plays a role in the reabsorption of bile salts, which are necessary for the digestion and absorption of fats.

The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine and it is the site where most steps of digestion of food occur. It receives partially digested food from the stomach and continues the process of digestion by breaking down the food further with the help of enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. It is also the site where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream for distribution to the rest of the body.

The cecum is a rounded sac that receives materials from the ileum, which is the last part of the small intestine. It is also the first part of the large intestine. The cecum is responsible for receiving and storing the material that has been digested in the small intestine before it moves on to the next part of the digestive system. It plays a role in the absorption of water and electrolytes, and also houses bacteria that aid in the digestion of certain substances.

The connective tissue functions to fill in spaces, bind and support other tissues. It is scattered throughout the body and is made of protein. This tissue helps to maintain the structural integrity of organs and provides support to other tissues. It also fills in spaces between organs and helps to hold them in place. Additionally, it plays a role in the transportation of nutrients and waste products.

The oral cavity is responsible for receiving food and is the site of the first step in carbohydrate digestion. This is where food enters the body and undergoes the process of mastication, or chewing, which breaks down the food into smaller pieces. The saliva produced in the oral cavity also contains enzymes that begin the digestion of carbohydrates, specifically breaking them down into smaller molecules. Therefore, the oral cavity plays a crucial role in the initial stages of digestion and the breakdown of carbohydrates.