Download Digestive System

Digestive System
The digestive system breaks food down to tiny molecules
that can be absorbed into the bloodstream and
distributed to the cells. Cells will then use the food
(nutrients) within each cell along with oxygen from the
respiratory system to make energy.
Digestion can be either mechanical or chemical.
Mechanical digestion: Breaks apart the food through
movement. Mainly occurs in mouth and small intestine.
Chemical digestion: Uses enzymes to break down the
food.
THE ORGANS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM ARE MADE
OF SMOOTH MUSCLE!!!!!!!!!
Organs of the digestive system:
Mouth: Includes salivary glands to moisten food. Food
undergoes mechanical digestion as teeth and tongue
break apart the food. Enzymes in saliva begin the chemical digestion process by beginning to break
down starch.
Esophagus: Tube made of smooth muscle that moves food from mouth to stomach. The wave-like
movement of the esophagus is called peristalsis.
Stomach: Organ made of smooth muscle that churns food (mechanical digestion) and secretes enzymes
and acids for food digestion
Liver: Organ that produces bile (an enzyme for chemical digestion). Also removes toxins from the blood.
Gall Bladder: Small storage sac for bile. Located under the liver.
Pancreas: Organ that secretes enzymes for chemical digestion
Small Intestine: Hollow tube made of smooth muscle. This is where the major of nutrients are
absorbed.
Large Intestine: Also called the colon. Responsible for removing excess water and compacting nondigested food into waste material (feces)
Rectum: Final section of large intestine which eliminates feces from the body.
Order of digestion: MouthEsophagusStomachSmall IntestineLarge Intestine