Digestive System Basics
This is the process of breaking food down into smaller molecules
What is the digestion?
Food first enters the digestive system through this structure
What is the mouth (oral cavity)?
This enzyme in saliva begins breaking down carbohydrates
What is amylase?
This organ produces bile
What is the liver?
It's the primary site in the body for chemical digestion and nutrient absorption.
What is the small intestine?
This type of digestion uses enzymes and acids
What is chemical digestion?
This tube connects the pharynx to the stomach
What is the esophagus?
Proteins are broken down into these smaller units
What are amino acids?
What is the gallbladder?
These tiny finger-like projections increase surface area for absorption
What are microvilli?
This type of digestion involves physical breakdown such as chewing
What is mechanical digestion?
Chemical digestion occurs here
This stomach enzyme breaks down proteins
What is pepsin?
This organ produces digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin
What is the pancreas?
Nutrients enter the bloodstream through these
What are capillaries?
This wave-like movement pushes food through the digestive tract
What is peristalsis?
What is the duodenum?
Bile helps digest fats by doing this
What is emulsification?
This system carries nutrient-rich blood from the intestines to the liver
What is the hepatic portal system (hepatic portal vein)?
This part of the small intestine absorbs most nutrients and is about 2.5 meters long
What is jejunum?
This is the process of removing undigested waste from the body
What is defecation?
This valve controls food leaving the stomach going into the small intestine
What is pyloric sphincter?
Lipids are broken down into these two components
What are fatty acids and monoglycerides?
This function of the liver removes harmful substances from blood
What is detoxification?
This condition can occur when too much water is absorbed from waste
What is constipation?