Lesson 1

The Digestive System

 Focus Question

What are the structures and functions of the

digestive system?
 New Vocabulary

mechanical digestion pepsin

chemical digestion small intestine
amylase liver
esophagus villus
peristalsis large intestine
 Review Vocabulary

nutrient: vital component of foods that provides

energy and materials for growth and body
functions
 Functions of the Digestive System

• Ingest food.
• Break down food so nutrients can be absorbed.
• Eliminate what cannot be digested.
 Functions of the Digestive System

Digestion
• Mechanical digestion involves chewing food to
break it down into smaller pieces.
• Chemical digestion is the action of enzymes in
breaking down large molecules into smaller
molecules.
• When you chew food, an enzyme in saliva
called amylase begins the process of chemical
digestion by breaking down starches into
sugars.
 Functions of the Digestive System

• Mechanical digestion starts in the mouth.

• Secretions from the salivary glands keep food
moist and begin the process of chemical digestion.
• Food moves through the pharynx into the
esophagus.
 Functions of the Digestive System

The human
digestive
system is
made up of
numerous
parts.
 Functions of the Digestive System
Esophagus
• The esophagus is a
muscular tube that
connects the pharynx,
or throat, to the
stomach.
• Smooth muscles
contract rhythmically
to move food through
the digestive system
in a process called
peristalsis.
 Functions of the Digestive System

Stomach
• The walls of the stomach are composed of three
overlapping layers of smooth muscle that are
involved with mechanical digestion.
• The environment inside the stomach is very
acidic.
• Pepsin is an enzyme involved in the process of
the chemical digestion of proteins.
 Functions of the Digestive System

Small Intestine
• The small intestine is approximately 7 m in
length and is the longest part of the digestive
tract.
• Smooth muscles in the wall of the small
intestine continue the process of mechanical
digestion and push the food farther through
the digestive tract by peristalsis.
 Functions of the Digestive System

Small Intestine
The completion of chemical digestion in the small
intestine depends on the activities of three
organs (shown on the next slide):
• The pancreas produces enzymes that
digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It
also produces hormones.
• The liver produces bile, which helps break
down fats.
• The gallbladder stores excess bile.
Functions of the Digestive System
 Functions of the Digestive System

Small Intestine
• Food nutrients are absorbed from the
small intestine into the bloodstream
through fingerlike structures called villi
(singular: villus).
• Villi increase the surface area of the small
intestine.
 Functions of the Digestive System
Small Intestine
 Functions of the Digestive System
Time for Digestion
Digestive Primary Function Time
Structure
Mouth Mechanical and chemical 5–30 s
digestion
Esophagus Transport (swallowing) 10 s
Stomach Mechanical and chemical 2–24 h
digestion
Small Mechanical and chemical 3–4 h
Intestine digestion
Large Water absorption 18 h–2
Intestine days
 Functions of the Digestive System

Large Intestine
• The large intestine is the end portion of the
digestive tract.
• A primary function of the colon is to absorb
water from the chyme.
• Peristalsis moves feces toward the rectum.
 Quiz

1. Which action takes place in the stomach?

A Large fat molecules are digested

into smaller molecules.
B Proteins are broken down. CORRECT

C Amylase breaks down starches

into smaller sugar molecules.
D Insulin is secreted for use in the
small intestine.
 Quiz

2. A person complaining of digestion problems is not

digesting fats well. Which is a reasonable explanation
for this condition?

A The pyloric sphincter C The person is

is blocked. secreting excess bile.

B The bile duct D The stomach is

is blocked. secreting too
CORRECT
much acid.
 Quiz

3. Which organ stores excess bile?

A pancreas C stomach

B small intestine D gall bladder CORRECT

 Quiz

4. A person has been taking a

medication for 5 days.
Which of the following is
likely to be a consequence
of this medication?

A Pepsin would not be C Bile would not be able

able to break down to be produced.
proteins. CORRECT
B Amylase would not be D Enzymes secreted by
able to break down starch. the pancreas would
not function well.