Goals of Digestion
What happens to the large molecules in food during digestion?
They are converted into smaller nutrient molecules.
What role do enzymes play in the digestive system?
They help to chemically digest food into smaller nutrient molecules.
Which organ starts the process of digestion?
Mouth
Which nutrient begins digestion in the mouth?
Carbohydrates
Why does the stomach have a thick lining of mucus?
To protect the stomach lining from acid.
How does the circulatory system help the body after absorbing nutrients?
It delivers nutrients to the rest of the body.
What process is most similar to crushing cookies with your hand?
Mechanical digestion
Name the organs in the digestive tract in order.
Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
What role do the small intestine’s villi play?
Absorb nutrients
What would happen if the liver stopped producing bile?
Difficulty in digesting fats.
What is the process of breaking food into smaller pieces called?
Mechanical digestion.
What are the building blocks of carbohydrates, proteins and fat?
sugars, amino acids and fatty acids
Where does most nutrient absorption occur?
Small intestine
What happens if the large intestine doesn’t absorb water properly?
Watery diarrhea
Why is the small intestine well-suited for nutrient absorption?
It has a large surface area due to villi and microvilli.
Which are the two most common food molecules in excreted waste?
water and fiber
How is food changed as it passes through the digestive system?
It is mechanically and chemically digested.
What is the role of the stomach?
To mechanically digest food into a thick liquid and continue chemical digestion
Where do our nutrients ultimately end up in our body?
Cells
In which organs do both mechanical and chemical digestion occur?
mouth and stomach
What are the three main goals of the digestive system?
To break down food into smaller nutrient molecules, to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream and to excrete waste products
What is the term for muscular contractions that move food through the digestive system?
Peristalsis
Which organ is responsible for the majority of water absorption?
Large intestine
Which organ receives the most “help” from other organs in the digestive system?
small intestine
Which food molecules are small enough to be able to be absorbed into the bloodstream?
glucose (sugar), amino acids, fatty acids, water