DIGESTIVE SYSTEM The organs that break down food so that it can be used by the body. 1) Digestion, 2) Absorption, 3) Elimination The human body has systems that break down nutrients and remove waste.

DIGESTION DIGESTIVE TRACT BEGINS IN THE MOUTH – TEETH, TONGUE, SALIVA, ESOPHAGUS, STOMACH MECHANICAL – BREAKING, CRUSHING, & MASHING OF FOOD CHEMICAL – ENZYMES BREAK DOWN LARGE MOLECULES INTO NUTRIENTS THAT THE BODY CAN USE

ABSORPTION MOST CHEMICAL DIGESTION TAKES PLACE AFTER FOOD LEAVES THE STOMACH – IN THE SMALL INTESTINE WITH FLUIDS FROM THE PANCREAS, LIVER, AND GALLBLADDER (Pg. 638) SMALL INTESTINE HAS MANY FINGERLIKE PROJECTIONS CALLED VILLI – COVERED WITH NUTRIENT ABSORBING CELLS THAT PASS NUTRIENTS TO THE BLOODSTREAM

ELIMINATION THE END OF THE LINE – MATERIAL THAT CAN’T BE ABSORBED INTO THE BLOOD IS PUSHED INTO THE LARGE INTESTINE ABSORBS WATER, STORES, COMPACTS, AND THEN ELIMINATES INDIGESTIBLE MATERIAL FROM THE BODY THROUGH THE RECTUM AND ANUS