Digestive system

• Digestion and absorption are the 2 main functions of the digestive system.
• Digestion is the process of breaking down large food molecules into smaller molecules.
• Absorption is the process of absorbing these small food molecules into the body.
• List the organs the food passes through in order.

  Mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and finally the anus.
• Teeth chew food to physically break it down into smaller pieces.
• The oesophagus is a muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
• the stomach contracts its muscular walls to churn the food. It also produces pepsin that breaks down proteins into amino acids. Finally it produces hydrochloric acid that provides the right pH for pepsin and kills microorganisms
• Salivary glands produce saliva which moistens the food making it easier to swallow. Saliva also contains amylase which breaks down starch into maltose.
• Pancreas produces amylase, proteases and lipases
• Stomach produces proteases (pepsin)
• Small intestine produces amylase, proteases and lipases
• Small intestine is where digestion takes place and where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream
• Large intestine reabsorbs water
• The rectum stores faeces until its ready to be released.