Digestion

• teeth x 4


  molars, premolars, canines, incisors
• Ingestion


  Intake of food

  
• digestion


  Breaking down food

  
• Absorption


  The process by which nutrient molecules pass through the small intestines into the blood

  
• What are the three main nutrients found in food?

  The three main nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids (fats).
• Why must large food molecules be digested?

  Large food molecules are too large to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
• What begins the digestion of starch in the mouth?

  Enzymes in the saliva begin to digest starch into smaller sugar molecules.
• What happens to food after it is chewed in the mouth?

  The food passes down the esophagus into the stomach.
• What begins the digestion of proteins in the stomach?

  Enzymes in the stomach begin the digestion of proteins.
• What is a key point about the stomach's environment?

  The stomach contains hydrochloric acid which helps enzymes digest proteins.
• How long does food spend in the stomach?

  The food spends several hours in the stomach.
• What action do the stomach muscles perform on the food?

  The churning action of the stomach muscles turns the food into a fluid.
• Why is the food turned into a fluid in the stomach?

  The fluid increases the surface area for enzymes to digest.
• What happens to the fluid after it leaves the stomach?

  The fluid passes into the small intestine.
• What chemicals are released into the small intestine from the liver and pancreas?

  The pancreas releases enzymes, and the liver releases bile.
• What is the role of the pancreas in digestion?

  The pancreas releases enzymes that continue the digestion of starch, protein, and lipids.
• What does bile do in the digestive process?

  Bile helps to speed up the digestion of lipids and neutralizes stomach acid.
• What happens to the fluid as it moves through the small intestine?

  The walls of the small intestine release enzymes to continue the digestion of protein and lipids.
• How are small food molecules absorbed in the small intestine?

  They are absorbed into the bloodstream either by diffusion or by active transport.
• What happens to the fluid in the large intestine?

  Water is absorbed into the bloodstream in the large intestine.
• What is released from the body at the end of the digestive process?

  Feces is released from the body.
• What is the overall process of digestion in the digestive system?

  Large food molecules are digested into smaller molecules, and then the products of digestion are absorbed into the bloodstream.
• How are the products of digestion used by the body?

  They are used by the body to build new carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
• What is one use of glucose produced from digestion?

  Some of the glucose produced is used in respiration.
• Egestion


  The act of removing undigested foods from the body (waste product)
• What is the main function of the digestive system?

  To break down food for absorption
• What are the three main groups of nutrients humans need?

  Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
• Why is digestion necessary for humans?

  To break down large molecules for absorption
• What is the role of saliva in digestion?

  It makes food more liquid and contains enzymes
• What enzyme is found in saliva?

  Salivary amylase
• What happens to food after it is swallowed?

  It passes down the esophagus to the stomach
• What is the stomach's primary function?

  To mix and break down food
• What are the three important functions of the stomach?

  Mixing food, producing pepsin, and hydrochloric acid
• What does pepsin do?

  It breaks down proteins
• What is the role of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?

  It kills bacteria and aids pepsin function
• Where does food go after the stomach?

  Into the small intestine
• What is the primary function of the small intestine?

  To absorb digested food into the bloodstream
• What organ produces most digestive enzymes?

  The pancreas
• What does the gallbladder release into the small intestine?

  Bile
• What are the two main roles of bile?

  Neutralizes stomach acid and emulsifies fats