1. Digestion
The chemical and mechanical process of breaking down food to release nutrients in a form your body can use

2. Alimentary Canal
The Digestive tract

3. Organs of the Digestive System

4. Start of Digestion
Mastication: chewing

5. Action of Saliva
Salivary glands in the mouth start the chemical processes by secreting saliva:
water, mucus, salts, digestive enzymes

6. Saliva & Nutrients
Begins to break carbohydrates down into simpler sugars

7. Food in the Esophagus
Food moves through the Esophagus by peristalsis action:
A wave like muscular contraction

8. Digestion in the Stomach
Stomach secretes gastric fluid
Hydrochloric acid, Enzymes, Gastrin, and Mucus
Food can take 1 to up to 7 hours to break down in the stomach

9. Digestion in the small Intestines
Helped by: Gall bladder, Pancreas and liver
Liver: Produces Bile- helps fat mix with water
Pancreas: secretes an enzyme rich fluid-reduce food to smaller molecules

10. Absorption in the Small Intestines
Nutrients are now mere molecules and can pass through the thin, intestinal walls
Villi and Microvilli: each microvilli is designed to absorb specific nutrients
Nutrients pass to the lymphatic system and then the circulatory system

11. Absorption in the large Intestines
Bacterial action: complete the breakdown of any carbohydrates and indigestible fiber
Digestion in motion

12. Waters Role in Digestion
Helps break down food
Helps transport nutrients through the digestive tract
Reabsorbed into the body in the digestive tract

13. Why do we burp? A burp is simply gas We swallow air with our foods
The air we breathe contains nitrogen and oxygen
Extra air gets forced up through the esophagus and out the mouth

14. Why do I throw up? Our stomach gets irritated Gets over filled
Stomach back flows into the esophagus

15. Why do we get constipated
An unhealthy diet: high sugars and starches and low fiber
A lack of exercise
A lack of fluid
Stress

16. Why do we get Heartburn
Heartburn: a burning feeling that rises up from the stomach towards the neck
Caused by acid from the stomach getting into the esophagus
Sphincter not closing well or staying closed