Digestive System

• Digestive - responsible for breaking down food into smaller components that can be absorbed by the body for use in energy production, growth, and repair.
• Processes (1st half)

  • Mouth: Food is chewed and mixed with saliva, which contains enzymes that begin breaking down carbohydrates.
  • Esophagus: Uses coordinated muscle contractions called peristalsis to move food down to the stomach.
  • Stomach: Mixes food with gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and enzymes that break down proteins.
• Processes (2nd half)

  • Small Intestine: Where most nutrients from the food are absorbed into the bloodstream.
  • Large Intestine: Absorbs water from the remaining waste products, forming feces.
  • Rectum and Anus: Feces are eliminated from the body through the rectum and anus during bowel movements.
• Peristalsis – coordinated muscle contractions to move the food in the digestive tract.
• Chyme – mixture of food and digestive juices that is produced in the stomach
• Bolus - Food that has been chewed and mixed in the mouth with saliva
• Villi - The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area available for absorption.
• The liver produces bile, which helps break down fats in the small intestine. The pancreas secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar levels, while the gallbladder stores and releases bile into the small intestine as needed.