Question | Answer |
Ptyalin | Chemical substance that breaks down starch in food into sugars |
Enzyme | Type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions (breaking down food) |
Esophagus | Tube that carries food to stomach |
Peristalsis | Waves of muscular contractions that move food through digestive system |
Stomach | Digestive organ that connects esophagus to small intestine |
Pepsin | Enzyme produced by stomach that digests proteins |
Small Intestine | Digestive organ where most digestion takes place |
Liver | Organ that produces bile that helps break down fat in the small intestine |
Pancreas | Organ that produces pancreatic juice and insulin that helps break down proteins, starches, and fats in the small intestine |
Villus | Structure in small intestine through which food is absorbed into blood stream |
Large Intestine | Organ in digestive system in which water is absorbed and undigested food is stored |
Rectum | End of the large intestine |
Anus | Opening at end of rectum through which solid wastes are eliminated |
Mechanical Digestion | Physical action of breaking down food into smaller parts |
Chemical Digestion | Breaking down of foods by enzymes |
Digestion | Breaking down of food into smaller nutrients by the body |
Absorption | Nutrients enter the bloodstream to be transported to body cells |
How does villi help with absorption? | Increases the surface area of the small intestine while making absorption faster |
What protects the stomach from hydrochloric acid used to break down food? | The mucus protects by coating and protecting the stomach wall |