CH 15.

3
Final Digestion and Absorption
* The stomach changes the food into a thick
liquid and slowly releases a little at a time
into the
small intestine to help make the digestion
and

A. The Small Intestine

1.

Small Intestine (def) the part of

the digestive system where most
chemical digestion takes place

2.

Almost all chemical digestion and

absorption of nutrients takes
place in the small intestine

3.

There are 3 organs that produce the

enzymes and secretions used in the
small intestine:
a. Small intestine
b. Liver
c. Pancreas

B. The Liver
1. Located in upper
right portion of
the abdomen
2. Largest organ
inside the body
3. Role of liver in
the digestive
system: produce
bile

a. Bile (def) a
substance that
breaks up fat
particles; flows
from liver to
gallbladder
b. Gallbladder
(def) the organ
that stores bile

C. Pancreas
1. Pancreas (def) triangular organ
that lies between the stomach
and the small intestine

2.

The pancreas produces enzymes that

flow into the small intestine and help
break down starches, proteins and fats

D. Absorption in the Small

Intestine
1.

2.

Villi (def) tiny finger-like structures

covering the inner surface of the small
intestine; they absorb nutrient molecules
Nutrient molecules pass from villi into
blood vessels

How does the pancreas

aid in digestion?

The pancreas produces enzymes to

break down starches, proteins and

E. The Large Intestine

1. Large Intestine (def) the last section
of the digestive system
2. Contains bacteria that feed on the
material passing through and makes
certain vitamins for the body (Vitamin
K)

3. As the material
moves through
the large
intestine, water is
absorbed into the
bloodstream.
4. The remaining
material is
readied for
elimination from
the body.

F. Rectum
1.

Rectum (def) the short tube at the end

of the large intestine where waste
material is compressed into a solid form

G. Anus
1. Anus (def) a muscular opening at the
end of the rectum where waste
material is eliminated from the body

What role do bacteria

play in the large
intestine?

They make certain vitamins,

including vitamin K.