The Digestive System: How it Works

The digestive system is designed to convert the food we eat into nutrients which is used by the
body for energy, repairing worn out cells and growth.

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 The Digestive System: How it Works
Mouth
Food is chewed in the mouth with the help of the
Throat Food movesreduces
teeth. This from foodthe mouth to theparticles
into smaller throat and(or
pharynx)
during theand furtherittoisthe
process esophagus.
mixed with saliva. Saliva
Esophagus
also contains a digestive enzyme, amylase, which
The
worksesophagus
on breakingis a down
muscular tube extending
carbohydrate from
into starch.
Stomach the
Foodthroat
like to the stomach.
bread, potatoes, The lower are
or pasta, esophageal
rich in
The stomach
sphincter is a isvalve
a sac-like
right hollowtheorgan
where with
esophagus
carbohydrates.
Small intestine strong
meets muscular
the stomach.walls.ItIt holds food the
prevents but also serves
backward
as a mixerofand
movement food.grinder. The stomach also secrets
• Pancreas acid and enzymes
The small intestine that
is further breakdown
a long tube looselyfood.
coiledThe
in
• Liver enzyme pepsin is responsible
the abdomen (it is more than 20 feet long). It is for protein
• Gall bladder breakdown.
constituted of Thisthree
combined actiontherenders
segments, food
duodenum,
Digestive leaving
jejunum,theand
stomach
ileum.liquid
It or paste. the digestion
continues
system
Colon (Large process using enzymes released by the pancreas and
Colon - It is is a 5- to 6-foot-long muscular tube. It
Intestine) bile from the liver. The duodenum continues the
is made up of the cecum, the ascending (right)
digestive process while the jejunum and ileum
Rectum colon,
The the transverse
anus is the last (across) colon,
part "straight")
of the descending
the digestive tract. It
absorb rectum
minerals.(Latin for
Enzymes secreted byistheanpancreas
8-inch
(left)
consistscolon,
ofthatand
the the sigmoid
pelvic floor colon .and
Stool, or waste
chamber
break down connects
protein, fat, themuscles
and colon to
carbohydrates. the  two
the anus. anal
The
Anus left over
sphincters from the digestive
which regulate process
when is stored here.
rectum receives stool from theand howand
colon to go to theit
holds
Bacteria
toilet found in stool
to evacuate the stool also synthesis vitamins.
or gas.
Free PPT’s: www.ecosystemforkids.com until evacuation.
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