The Digestive System

The digestive system is responsible for:

– ___________(taking in food)
– ___________ (breaking down food)
– ___________ (moving nutrients into the blood)
– ___________ (getting rid of waste)

The Digestive Tract

• Consists of _____________ and ___________________
• The digestive tract is lined with _________ __________
• Some cells (called _________________) secrete ________________ which helps food
to pass smoothly through the system

The process of breaking down food is called digestion

Two types of digestion
– ____________ _______________breaking down food into smaller pieces
– ____________ breaking food molecules down using ________ (biological
catalysts)

The digestive tract is one long tube with two openings

• Includes:
– _____________________
– _____________________
– _____________________
– _____________________
– _____________________
– _____________________
Mouth
• Mechanical – _____________ break food apart
• Chemical – ______________________ start to soften and break down food molecules

Esophagus
• Muscular tube that connects the mouth and
the stomach
• ______________ pushes food down into the
stomach
– This happens without you having to
think about it!

Stomach
• The stomach stores and further digests food
• Mechanical – ____________ to mix food
• Chemical – cells in the stomach secrete
________________________

Small Intestine
• The small intestine is about ____________

• ___________________________________________________________

• Once nutrients are fully broken down, they are ______________________

_________________ surrounding the small intestine
• The blood then carries nutrients to areas of the body where they are needed

Large Intestine (Colon)

• The large intestine is about _________ but
much thicker in diameter than the small
intestine
• The main purpose is to ___________ from
the indigestible food (feces)

Accessory Organs
• Liver, pancreas and gallbladder produce
enzymes used in digestion
– Called accessory organs because
__________________________
_________________________
• The liver also produces ___________
which helps to _______________________
• The pancreas also produces ___________
which _____________________________
– ___________ is caused when blood
sugar levels are not controlled

Diseases of the Digestive System

Colitis: _____________________________________________________________________
Acid Reflux: _________________________________________________________________