I. Digestive Systems  A. Digestion – Process by which the body breaks down food into smaller components.  B. Digestion System – Group of organs that work together to break down foods into substance that your cells can use.

Digestive System  1. Mouth a. Teeth crush, tear, and grind the food  b. Salivary gland produces saliva  c. Before swallowing epiglottis closes trachea and food is pushed down esophagus using smooth muscles.

2 Stomach  a. Acid and enzymes break down food into chyme.

3. Small Intestine  a. 20 feet in length where nutrients are removed into the blood stream.  b. Liver – Body’s largest gland. 1. Secrets bile which helps to digest fats. c. Gallbladder – stores the bile until it is needed. d. Pancreas – a gland that produces pancreatic juice, which helps the small intestine break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

4. Large Intestine  Takes water and any other nutrients out of the food.  Large intestine is about 5 feet long (FYI)

a. FIBER  1. NON DIGESTIBLE  2. could help reduce the risk of colon cancer  3. reduces blood cholesterol

5. Colon  Where the waste is stored until it is excreted out of the body.

II. Excretory System

 A. Excretion – Process by which the body gets rid of waste.  B. Kidney – A pair of organs that filter water and waste materials from the blood. 1. Helps to regulate the amounts of water and salts in the body.

C. Ureter  Once waste leaves the kidneys it travels down the ureter to the bladder

D. Bladder E. Urethra  A pouch in which urine is stored.  1. A signal from the nervous system lets the person know when the bladder is full.  A tube that passes out through the body.