this organ connects the mouth to the stomach
the esophagus
What is an enzyme?
Something that helps break down food. (breaker downer!)
Where does the digestive system start?
mouth
Name this organ:
The stomach!
What do you call breaking down food into nutrients that the body can use?
Digestion
Name a food high in protein
Dairy, meat, fish, chicken (poultry), beans, nuts
Name a food high in starch
Potatoes, Rice, Pasta, Baked goods
What organ contains villi?
the small intestine
What is added to the food in the mouth?
Saliva starts the digestive process by breaking down carbs.
How long does it take for the food to go from the mouth to the stomach?
(The team closest to the answer gets all the points)
About 6 - 10 seconds!
Explain why the villi are important?
It creates more surface area so the nutrients can get into the blood stream faster
How many liters can the average adult stomach hold when maxed out?
4
What's it called when muscles in the digestive system push down the food by contracting?
Peristalsis
This organ that produces the bile for digestion.
The liver
What's the job of the pancreas?
To produce digestive juices with enzymes that help break down nutrients.
Also produces insulin which helps regulate blood-sugar.
This organ STORES bile for digestion.
The gallbladder
What part of the digestive system absorbs nutrients into the blood stream?
Small Intestine
This organ absorbs water into the body and compacts solid waste in preparation for elimination
The large intestine
Fat
Formerly thought to be a vestigial structure, what function do scientists think the appendix performs?
storing beneficial bacteria so they can repopulate after an illness.