1. The Process of Digestion

2. What is the digestive system?
The digestive system is the organs and glands that break food down into chemicals and absorb the chemicals.

3. The Mouth The mouth is where food enters the digestive system.
Mechanical digestion is done by chewing the food into small pieces.
Chemical digestion is begun by amylase found in saliva

4. Salivary Glands Accessory glands in the mouth that produce saliva
Contains amylase – breaks down carbohydrates
Contains lysozyme – kills bacteria

5. The Esophagus A muscular tube that connects the mouth and the stomach.
Once food is swallowed, it is called a bolus.
The bolus is moved by rhythmic contractions of the muscles in the esophagus called peristalsis.

6. The Stomach
A hollow, muscular organ that continues mechanical digestion and starts acidic chemical digestion.

7. The Stomach Proteins are digested in the stomach.
The food released from the stomach into the intestines is called chyme

8. The Small Intestine
A muscular tube covered with villi where chemical digestion is started and nutrients are absorbed.
Villi- finger –like folds located in the small intestine that help absorb food
Capillaries in the villi absorb protein and carbohydrates.
Lymph vessels in the villi absorb fats

9. Pancreas – Accessory to Small Intestine
Makes hormones that regulate blood sugar
Insulin – decreases blood sugar level
Glucagon – increases blood sugar level
Releases enzymes to finish breaking down foods.

10. Liver – Accessory to the small intestine
Produces bile – a mix of lipids and salts that breakdown droplets of fat so the enzymes of the small intestine can break the fat apart.

11. The Large Intestine / Colon
Removes water from the indigestible materials that leave the small intestine.