Digestive System Basics
What is the main job of the digestive system?
To break down food so the body can absorb nutrients and remove waste.
Where does digestion begin?
The mouth.
I grind food and mix it with saliva. Who am I?
The mouth.
What substance in saliva helps break down food?
Enzymes
What are villi?
Tiny structures in the small intestine.
What do we call the process of breaking down food?
Digestion.
Which organ connects the mouth to the stomach?
The esophagus.
I store bile until it is needed. Who am I?
the gallbladder.
What chemical helps break down fats?
Bile.
Why are villi important?
They help absorb nutrients.
Why does our body need digestion?
To get nutrients for energy, growth, and repair.
Which organ is a muscular bag that mixes food with acid?
The stomach.
I release enzymes to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Who am I?
The pancreas.
Where is bile made?
The liver.
What are the tiny hair-like structures on villi called?
Microvilli.
What happens to food that cannot be digested?
It leaves the body as waste.
Which organs help digestion even though food does not pass through them?
The liver, pancreas, and gall bladder.
I absorb water and form solid waste. Who am I?
The large intestine.
Where are nutrients absorbed into the blood?
The small intestine.
Why is a good blood supply important in the villi?
So nutrients can move into the bloodstream.