1. Digestive System Learning Goals
Understand the structure and function of the digestive system.
Identify problems and diseases associated with the digestive system.
Identify techniques that keep the digestive system healthy.

2. Lets get a quick visual of the system and how it works!
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3. 3 Main Functions
a. Digestion – breakdown of foods within stomach and intestines for use by body’s cells
b. Absorption – passage of digested food from digestive tract into blood
c. Elimination – body’s expulsion of undigested food or body wastes.

4. The Digestive Process 4 sections 1. Mouth 2. Throat 3. Stomach
4. Intestines

5. The Digestive Process - Mouth
a. Teeth break food you eat into smaller pieces
b. Mastication – the process of chewing
c. Saliva is produced by salivary glands. Saliva contains an enzyme that breaks down food in the mouth – Amylase.

6. The Digestive Process - Mouth
d. Tongue – shapes and prepares food for swallowing
Make sure to brush tongue to avoid bad breath!!!

8. The Digestive Process – The Throat
a. The uvula – small flap of tissue at the back of the throat that prevents food from going to the nasal passages
b. The epiglottis – flap of tissue which covers the throat, preventing food from entering your airways.

9. The Digestive Process – The Throat
c. When food is swallowed, it enters the esophagus – a 10 inch tube that connects the throat to the stomach
d. Peristalsis – series of involuntary muscle contractions that move food through the digestive system
e. (similar to squeezing a tube of toothpaste from the bottom up)

10. Peristalsis
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12. The Digestive Process - Stomach
a. Stomach - hollow sac-like organ connected to the esophagus
b. Functions:
- digests food with gastric juices
- moves food into small intestine
c. Converts food into chyme - a creamy mixture of food and gastric juices.

14. The Digestive Process - Intestines
a. from the stomach, food moves into small intestines
20-23 feet long, 1 inch in diameter
This is where most of the nutrients from food are absorbed into the body!!!
b. inner lining contains villi – tiny fingerlike projections that help absorb nutrients

15. The Digestive Process - Intestines
c. any unabsorbed material goes from the small intestine into the large intestine
d. here water is absorbed; helps to eliminate waste
e. undigested food passes through the large intestine; or the colon
f. exited through the anus

17. Helpers of the Digestive System
1. It is important to note food DOES NOT pass through these organs!
2. Pancreas
a. produces enzymes to help break down food
b. produces insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels

18. Helpers of the Digestive System
3. Liver
a. produces bile
b. Bile – a green fluid that helps breakdown fats
4. Gallbladder
a. small pouch which stores the bile

19. Crossword puzzle – 10 pts
Identify parts of the digestive system

20. Functional Problem:
What is it? Causes?
Symptoms?
Heartburn
Gas
Nausea

21. HEARTBURN

22. GAS

23. NAUSEA

24. GASTRITIS

25. LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

26. PEPTIC ULCER

27. HEMORRHOIDS

28. Digestive System Care 1. Eat foods high in fiber!
Fiber helps food and waste pass through the digestive tract
Reduces risk of colon cancer
Beans, Prunes, Pears, and Leafy Green Vegetables are good sources

29. Digestive System Care 2. Drink plenty of water 8 glasses a day!
Helps keep things moving regularly

30. Digestive System Care 3. Eat slowly and don’t hurry through your meals
Eating too fast can cause gas or indigestion