Digestion starts in the MOUTH! The chewing of the food and the saliva help to break down the food

After food leaves the mouth peristalsis, wave- like muscle contractions, takes over and pushes food down the esophagus At the bottom of the esophagus there is a muscular ring that blocks the entrance to the Stomach Entrance closed Entrance open

Stomach The stomach holds food. It allows for a large meal to be eaten in a short time. the stomach also liquefies food so the food can continue on its journey Hydrochloric acid and enzymes help the stomach to liquefy food

As food is liquefied it is slowly released into the small intestine. Villi Villi in the small intestine increase the surface area and help to absorb more nutrients. What do you think the function of villi is? The Small intestine walls are lined with microscopic villi

Large intestine the Main job of the large intestine is to absorb the remaining water from the food residue passing through the intestines Appendix Wormlike structure attached to the Large Intestine that produces mucous & antibodies Appendicitis – When the appendix becomes sealed shut and inflamed. then bacteria in the appendix begin to grow

producing bile to break down fat, detoxifying poisons (drugs, alcohol, etc), and removing glucose and storing it as glycogen. Weighing in at about 3 ½ lbs the liver is the largest solid organ in the body. Liver Although food does not directly pass through the liver it still helps to digest food through:

The Pancreas secretes enzymes which help in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, & fats. It also produces insulin which helps to take glucose out of the blood and put it in cells. Pancreas Like the liver the pancreas assists in digestion even though food doesn’t actually pass through it. Small Intestine Gall Bladder Tube Bile from Liver travels through pancreas

Excretory System – eliminates liquid waste What system eliminates solid waste? Blood flows into the kidneys The kidneys filter out the liquid waste in the blood

Nutrients Fats – store large amounts of energy Vitamins – used for cell chemical work Proteins – build and repair body parts Carbohydrates – main energy source Water – cools the body