Download Physical and Chemical Changes in Digestion Key

Physical and Chemical Changes in Digestion
What type of changes occur in this area of the body?
Organ
Physical Changes
Mouth
 Food is torn into smaller
pieces by the teeth
 Food is mixed with saliva
Chemical Changes
 Saliva begins to break
down carbohydrates
(starches) in the mouth
 Food, hydrochloric acid,
and other digestive juices
are mixed by the muscular  Proteins are broken down
Stomach
contractions of the
by hydrochloric acid
stomach wall to form
chyme
 Fats, proteins, and
carbohydrates are broken
 The chyme or “food mush”
down into smaller,
Small Intestine
is mixed with digestive
different molecules that
juices
can be absorbed by the
body’s cells
Large intestine  Water is absorbed back
(colon)
into the body
 Bacteria breaks down
some undigested
materials and helps
produce certain vitamins