Laboratory Exercise 12.

Physiology of the Digestive System

The digestive system breaks down food into molecules that can be absorbed and used by the
cells of the body. It is composed of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large
intestine. It is also composed of accessory organs, namely salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and
pancreas.

Objectives:

At the end of the exercise, each student can:

1. explain the functions of the different organs of the digestive system,
2. explain the functions of the different accessory organs of the digestive system, and
3. explain the role of saliva in the digestive system.

Materials:

Biology Books, General Physiology Books,

Electronic Reference Sources on Physiology of the Digestive System

Procedure:

1. Prepare three small vials of the same size. Label them

as: Container 1 – Saliva and Starch Solution

Container 2 – Water and Starch Solution
Container 3 – Water and Distilled Water

2. Collect 3 mL of saliva in Container 1.

3. Add 3 mL of tap water in Container 2 and in Container 3.
4. Add 3 mL of starch solution in Container 1 and in Container 2.
5. Add 3 mL of distilled water in Container 3.
6. Add 3 drops of iodine solution in each container. Close the containers and shake them well.
7. Record your observation.

References:

1. D’Silva, J. (2022). Available from:

https://viva.pressbooks.pub/anatomyandphysiologylaboratorymanualfornursing/chapter/chapt
er-23-the-digestive-system/

Prepared by: Llara M. Siglos, MST Page 1 of 2

Laboratory Exercise 12. Physiology of the Digestive System
General Physiology Laboratory
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Western Mindanao State University
NAMES:__________________________________ GROUP NO.________
SCORE:__________
ACTIVITY 12:
THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ACTIVITY SHEET

OBSERVATIONS:

Color of the mixture

Color of the mixture after
Container before adding Iodine
adding Iodine Solution
Solution
1

Guide Questions:

1. What are the different parts of the digestive tract? Illustra the digestive tract and label the
parts.

2. What are their functions? Present your answers in a table.

3. What are the different accessory organs of the digestive system? What are their functions?
Present your answers in a table.

4. Explain what happened in your experiment?

5. What is the role of saliva in the digestive system?

6. When you are eating a meal, how do you know when you are full?

REFERENCES