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Digestive Process Begins. Functions of Digestive System. Breaks down food into molecules Molecules are absorbed into blood and carried throughout the body. Functions of Digestive System. Cont. Wastes are eliminated from the body. Digestion.
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Functions of Digestive System • Breaks down food into molecules • Molecules are absorbed into blood and carried throughout the body
Functions of Digestive System. Cont. • Wastes are eliminated from the body
Digestion • Process by which the body breaks down food into small nutrient molecules
Two Kinds of Digestion • Mechanical And Chemical
Mechanical Digestion • Foods are physically broken down into smaller pieces. • Begins when you take your first bite of food
Chemical Digestion • Chemicals produced by the body break foods into smaller chemical building blocks. • Example:Carbohydrates into glucose molecules
Chemical Digestion, Cont. • Enzymes are proteins that speeds up chemical reactions in the body
Absorption • Process by which nutrient molecules pass through the wall of the digestive system into the blood • Occurs after food has been digested • Mainly in small intestines.
The Mouth (Step 1) • Produces saliva, a fluid released when your mouth waters • This aids in chemical digestion • Chewing and grinding of food with teeth is a form of mechanical digestion
The Esophagus(step 2) • A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach • Peristalsis are involuntary waves of muscle contractions that push food down to the stomach.
The Esophagus, Cont. • The epiglottis seals off the windpipe to prevent food from entering.
The Stomach(step 3) • Most mechanical digestion takes place in the stomach as the smooth muscle squeezes food and churns the food up.
The Stomach, Cont. • Hydrochloric acid chemically digests the food into a liquid form • Mucus coats and protects the stomach lining to keep acids from burning a hole in your stomach.
Small Intestines • Most chemical digestion takes place, and most nutrients are absorbed into the blood stream • Villi cover insides to help absorb nutrients into your blood. • Longest part of digestive tract.
Liver • Largest organ • Produces BILE to break down fat particles. • Food does NOT go into liver.
Pancreas • Produces enzymes that flow into small intestines and help break down proteins, fats and starches • Food not in here either!
Large Intestine • Contains helpful bacteria that feed on the material as it passes through. • This material contains water and undigested food.
Large Intestine continued • As it passes through, water is absorbed into the blood stream. • The remaining material is ready for elimination (exiting) the body as it enters the rectum where it is compressed into a solid form • The solid waste exits the body through the anus.