S C I E N C E 8 : Q 4 - M 1 : T h e D i g e s t i v e S y s t e m : S t r u c t u re s a n d F u n c t i o n s

W H AT TO E X P E C T F R O M T H I S M O D U L E :

1. Functions of Each Organ of the Digestive System and Pathway of Food:

o Mouth: The mouth is where digestion begins with the process of ingestion. It
also plays a role in mechanical digestion through chewing and chemical
digestion through the action of saliva.
o Esophagus: The esophagus is a muscular tube that transports food from the
mouth to the stomach through a series of contractions called peristalsis.
o Stomach: The stomach is responsible for further mechanical and chemical
digestion of food. It secretes gastric juices and enzymes to break down proteins.
o Small Intestine: The small intestine is where most of the digestion and
a b s o r p t i o n o f n u t r i e n t s o c c u r. E n z y m e s f r o m t h e p a n c r e a s a n d b i l e f r o m t h e l i v e r
aid in this process.
o L a r g e I n t e s t i n e : T h e l a rg e i n t e s t i n e a b s o r b s w a t e r a n d e l e c t r o l y t e s f r o m t h e
remaining indigestible food, forming feces for excretion.
2. Action of Enzymes and Catalysts in Digestion:
o Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body
without being consumed in the process.
o E n z y m e s p l a y a c r u c i a l r o l e i n b r e a k i n g d o w n l a rg e m o l e c u l e s i n t o s m a l l e r,
absorbable nutrients. For example, amylase breaks down carbohydrates, protease
breaks down proteins, and lipase breaks down fats.
3 . D i g e s t i v e O r g a n s Wo r k i n g To g e t h e r :
o T h e d i g e s t i v e o rg a n s w o r k i n a c o o r d i n a t e d m a n n e r t o e n s u r e e ff i c i e n t d i g e s t i o n
and absorption of nutrients.
o For example, the pancreas secretes enzymes into the small intestine to aid in
digestion, while the liver produces bile to emulsify fats for better absorption.
o T h e s m a l l i n t e s t i n e i s w h e r e m o s t o f t h e d i g e s t i o n a n d a b s o r p t i o n o c c u r, w i t h
nutrients passing through its walls into the bloodstream for distribution to cells.
4 . I n g e s t i o n , A b s o r p t i o n , A s s i m i l a t i o n , a n d E x c re t i o n :
o Ingestion: The process of taking food into the body through the mouth.
o A b s o r p t i o n : T h e u p t a k e o f d i g e s t e d n u t r i e n t s b y t h e c e l l s o f t h e b o d y, p r i m a r i l y
occurring in the small intestine.
o Assimilation: The utilization of absorbed nutrients by the body's cells for
e n e rg y, g r o w t h , a n d r e p a i r.
o E x c re t i o n : T h e e l i m i n a t i o n o f w a s t e p r o d u c t s f r o m t h e b o d y, p r i m a r i l y t h r o u g h
t h e l a rg e i n t e s t i n e a n d u r i n a r y s y s t e m .

5. What is Digestion?
o D i g e s t i o n i s t h e p r o c e s s b y w h i c h f o o d i s b r o k e n d o w n i n t o s m a l l e r, a b s o r b a b l e
m o l e c u l e s t h a t c a n b e u t i l i z e d b y t h e b o d y f o r e n e rg y, g r o w t h , a n d r e p a i r.

W H AT I K N O W
Read each question carefully and encircle only the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is the digestive system?

 C. T he body’s food-processing system. The digestive system is responsi bl e for
proc e ssing food, extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste from the body.

2. Digestion begins in the mouth. Which of the following statements is incorrect?

 D. T he tongue keeps the food in place in the mouth while the food is be i ng
c he we d. The tongue aids in mixing food with saliva and pushing the food t owa rd
t he ba c k of the mouth for swallowing.

3. Where does food pass through between the mouth and the stomach?
 A. The gullet. The esophagus, also known as the gullet, is the tube that connects the
mouth to the stomach and transports food through peristaltic contractions.
4. The digestive system processes food into usable and unusable materials. The usable
materials are sent to the body’s cells as food. What happens to unusable materials?
 C. It goes into the large intestine to await disposal. The large intestine a bsorbs
wa t e r and minerals from indigestible food, forming feces for excretion.

5. Digestion takes place in a long tube-like canal called the alimentary canal, or the digestive
tract. Food travels through these organs in the following order:

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 D. Mouth, stomach, gullet, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. Food
t ra ve l s through these organs in sequence for digestion, absorption, and
e l i m i nation.

6. Which of the following does NOT manufacture digestive juices?

 A. Kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for filtering blood and producing urine, not
digestive juices.
7. The muscles of the esophagus/gullet squeeze the food downward using the process of:
 C. Pe ri stalsis. Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of m usc l e s
t ha t propels food through the digestive tract.

8. When the stomach is empty, it folds up into wrinkles called:

 C. R ugae. Rugae are folds in the stomach lining that allow the stomach t o e xpa nd
whe n food is ingested.

9. By the time food leaves the stomach it is:

 B . A c reamy paste called chyme. Chyme is the semi-liquid mixture of pa rt i a l l y
di ge st ed food and stomach acids that leaves the stomach.

10. A person who has had the gallbladder may be expected to have some difficulty
in ____________.
 B . Di gesting fats. The gallbladder stores and releases bile, which aids in t he
di ge st i on and absorption of fats. Without a gallbladder, fat digestion ma y be
i m pa i red.

WHAT’S IN
F i n d a n d e n c i r c l e t h e d i g e s t i v e s y s t e m r e l a t e d w o r d s i n t h e p u z z l e . Wo r d s c a n b e
vertical, horizontal, or diagonal.

W H AT ’ S N E W

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W H AT ’ S M O R E

W H AT I H AV E L E A R N E D
A . I d e n t i f y w h a t i s d e s c r i b e d a n d w r i t e y o u r a n s w e r o n a s e p a r a t e s h e e t o f p a p e r.
1. Amylase breaks down starches into disaccharides like maltose.
2. Maltase breaks down maltose (a disaccharide) into two glucose molecules.
3 . Tr y p s i n c o n t i n u e s p r o t e i n b r e a k d o w n f r o m t h e p a n c r e a s .
4. Peptidase breaks down dipeptides into individual amino acids in the small intestine.
5. Lipase breaks down fats or lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.

B . I n d e s c e n d i n g o r d e r, a r r a n g e t h e s e q u e n c e o f e v e n t s t h a t o c c u r i n t h e d i g e s t i v e s y s t e m .
9 1. The undigested matter in the form of feces is expelled through the anus.
8 2. Some fat and protein, undigested food, dried out digested juices, mucus,
and discarded intestinal cells are stored temporarily in the rectum.
1 3. The teeth break the food and at the same time, saliva from the salivary
glands moisten the food, facilitating its conduction into the pharynx.
2 4 . A s y o u s w a l l o w, a f l a p o f t i s s u e c a l l e d e p i g l o t t i s c l o s e s t h e t r a c h e a a t t h e
entrance of the respiratory tract to ensure that the food enters the gullet.
3 5. After entering the gullet, it will temporarily store in the stomach.
5 6. Pancreas lying between the small intestine and stomach produces
pancreatic juice (mixture of digestive enzymes).
6 7. Fluid enters the duodenum (one of the small intestine regions) from the
s t o m a c h t h r o u g h t h e d u c t s o f t h e p a n c r e a s , l i v e r, a n d t h e g a l l b l a d d e r.
These fluids help process the food we eat.
1 0 8 . T h e u n d i g e s t e d f o o d g o e s i n t o t h e l a rg e i n t e s t i n e i n c l u d i n g w a s t e s , l i k e
water that was not reabsorbed.
4 9. Other enzymes, such as protease and lipase help break down proteins in
t h e s t o m a c h a n d f a t s i n t h e s m a l l i n t e s t i n e , r e s p e c t i v e l y.
7 10. Digestion ends in the small intestine where nutrients are absorbed in the
villi and enter the circulatory system.

W H AT I C A N D O : R E F L E C T

1. Servings in "Pinggang Pinoy" can guide you in developing a healthy eating habit by
p r o v i d i n g a v i s u a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e i d e a l p o r t i o n s i z e s f o r d i ff e r e n t f o o d g r o u p s i n
a meal. By following the recommended servings, which include a balance of
carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and fats/oils, you can ensure that you're
getting a variety of nutrients necessary for good health. This can help prevent
overeating or undereating, leading to better weight management and overall nutrition.
2. Preventive measures to avoid digestive problems include:
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 E a t i n g a b a l a n c e d d i e t r i c h i n f i b e r, f r u i t s , v e g e t a b l e s , a n d w h o l e g r a i n s t o
promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation.
 Drinking plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and aid in
digestion.
 Av o i d i n g l a rg e m e a l s a n d i n s t e a d o p t i n g f o r s m a l l e r, m o r e f r e q u e n t m e a l s t o
prevent overloading the digestive system.
 Limiting intake of foods that may trigger digestive discomfort, such as spicy
f o o d s , f a t t y f o o d s , c a ff e i n e , a n d a l c o h o l .
 Practicing mindful eating by chewing food slowly and thoroughly to aid in
digestion and prevent indigestion.
 Managing stress through relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation,
or yoga, as stress can exacerbate digestive issues such as irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) or acid reflux.
 Engaging in regular physical activity to promote healthy digestion and bowel
r e g u l a r i t y.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

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POSTTEST
1. B. p a n c r e a s , l i v e r, a n d g a l l b l a d d e r
2. A. mouth
3. A. It helps break down food.
4. A. duodenum
5. A. absorb water
6. D. pancreas and liver
7. D. remove the harmful substances from the blood.
8. C. gastric juice
9. B. stomach
10. B. ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation, excretion

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