Digestive System

• The digestive system is an example of an organ system in which several organs work together to digest and absorb food
• The salivary glands produce amylase in the saliva
• The liver is where bile is produced which neutralises stomach acid and emulsifies fats
• The gall bladder is where bile is stored before it is released into the small intestine
• The large intestine is where excess water is absorbed from the food
• The rectum is where faeces (mostly made of indigestible food) are stored
• The small intestine produces protease, amylase and lipase enzymes to complete digestion
• The small intestine is where where digested food is absorbed into the bloodstream
• The pancreas produces protease, amylase and lipase enzymes and releases them into the small intestine
• Bile is made in the liver and stored in the gall bladder
• Bile is alkaline to neutralise hydrochloric acid from the stomach
• Bile emulsifies fat to form small droplets which increases the surface area
• The alkaline conditions and large surface area created by bile increase the rate of fat breakdown by lipase