Science the digestive system

• Digestive System


  A group of organs that can break down and absorb food to make energy
• Nutrition


  1. Ingestion

  2. Digestion

  3. Absorption

  4. Assimilation

  5. Egestion
• Digestive System


  • Works together so our bodies can break down and absorb food
• Animals consume food which is digested and absorbed by the digestive system
• Ingestion


  Food is taken by the mouth
• Digestion


  Ingested food is broken down into smaller particles
• Absorption


  Digested food particles are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to cells, tissues and organs
• Assimilation


  Food is used by cells, tissues and organs for energy, growth and repair
• Egestion


  Unabsorbed food is passed from the body
• Physical Digestion


  Breaking down food using physical methods (no chemical change)
• Chemical Digestion


  Breaking down food using chemical reactions (enzymes)
• Enzyme


  A biological catalyst that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up itself
• Enzyme action


  • In the mouth, amylase breaks down starch into maltose
  • In the small intestine, maltase breaks down maltose into glucose
• Teeth


  • Incisors - sharp for cutting
  • Canines - pointed for tearing
  • Premolars - flat and ridged for grinding
  • Molars - larger and flatter than premolars, for grinding and chewing