THE DIGESTIVE PROCESS BEGINS Chapter 2 Section 3 Pages

Objectives: *Describe the role of the digestive system *Identify the major organs of the digestive system & explain their functions 3 Main Functions of the Digestive System: *Breaks down food into molecules the body can use *Absorbs those molecules into the blood so they can be carried throughout the body *Eliminates wastes from the body

Digestion: Process by which your body breaks down food into small nutrient molecules. *Mechanical Digestion: Physically breaks down food. (ex. Chewing) *Chemical Digestion: Chemicals produced by the body break foods into small chemical building blocks Absorption: Process by which nutrient molecules pass through the walls of your digestive system in your blood. Saliva: Fluid released when your mouth waters – mixes with food, moistening the food into a slippery mass.

Enzyme: Proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body. Epiglottis: A flap of tissue that seals off your windpipe – preventing food from entering. Esophagus: A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Mucus: A thick, slippery substance produced by the body – Makes food easier to swallow and be moved Along. Peristalsis: Involuntary waves of muscle contractions. It keeps food moving in one direction.

Stomach: A J – shaped muscular pouch located in the Abdomen. *Most mechanical digestion and some chemical digestion occur in the stomach.