 Breaks down food into small parts mechanical (physical) & chemical (acids & enzymes) digestion.  release food into blood stream for distribution (via the villi in the small intestine)  prepare undigested food for elimination  Peristalsis – muscular contractions that move food throughout digestive tract

 mouth – place where digestion begins; food is chewed using teeth and tongue (mastication) made softer/smaller with the help of saliva from the salivary glands  esophagus – tube leading from the mouth to the stomach  stomach – organ where food is made into a paste called chyme with the help of these enzyme and acid (releases pepsin and hydrochloric acid)

 gall bladder › organ that produces and stores bile, which is a yellow-brown digestive liquid. › After leaving the gallbladder, bile goes to the small intestine.  liver › organ that releases bile in order to break down fats  pancreas › organ that aids small intestine in digestion of sugars, carbs, proteins & fats › It is both an exocrine and endocrine gland

 small intestines › 20 foot coiled tube where absorption of food into blood takes place › fingerlike projections called “villi” help in the process of absorption (capillaries) › Duodenum-segment that breaks down food  large intestine › extends below small intestine › undigested food is prepared for elimination from the body.

 Colon Cancer › cancer of the large intestine › more common in people over 50  Colonoscopy › procedure recommended for people over the age of 50 › checks for polups in the colon which may be early signs of cancer

 Hepatitis – viral infection of the liver (inflammation)  Diabetes › Type 1 – Insulin deficiency/develops in childhood › Type 2 – Insulin resistant/develops in later adulthood as a result of poor diet › Gestational – a woman may develop this during pregnancy by putting too much weight.

 Appendicitis › inflammation and swelling of the appendix – should it burst, may become life threatening. › Signs are sharp/acute pain in the lower right side of the abdomen – extremely painfully to the touch. You must go immediately to the hospital.  Dehydration › the sudden loss of fluids from the body due to excessive exercise, heat or illness. › Signs: thirst, loss of appetite, dry skin (no sweat), dark urine, dry mouth(no saliva), fatigue, and chills. Potentially Fatal.

 Gastric Bypass Surgery › stomach stapling › stomach is surgically made smaller in order to control weight gain.

 chew food carefully and slowly  cook food thoroughly  eat plenty of fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains)  drink enough water (8 cups every day)  reduce amounts of saturated fat and sugar in diet  exercise – burn off excess calories and fat

 Excretory System – eliminates solid waste from digestive system.