1. Digestive System
Digestion is the process of breaking down food into usable materials.

2. Mechanical Digestion- Teeth chew food into smaller pieces
Mouth
Mechanical Digestion- Teeth chew food into smaller pieces
Chemical Digestion- Saliva moistens the food and changes starch to sugars
Amylase enzyme- breaks down starch to simple sugars
This is where carbohydrates begin being broken down
*yarn- measure front to back of mouth (corner of lips to jawbone)

3. Epiglottis
Blocks the trachea when food is swallowed so food goes down the esophagus to the stomach

4. Muscles push the food down the esophagus to the stomach
This muscular action is called peristalsis.
It takes about 8 seconds for food to travel to the stomach
It takes about 2 seconds for liquid to travel to the stomach
Yarn- measure top of the neck to stomach. (about 10 in)

5. Continues breaking down food and digesting proteins
Stomach
Continues breaking down food and digesting proteins
Mechanical Digestion- muscles slosh food around, breaking them down into smaller pieces, eventually to a liquid called chyme
Chemical Digestion- Pepsin enzymes break down the proteins in food to amino acids
Food can remain in the stomach for several hours
Yarn- stretch out hand. Measure tip of thumb to tip of little finger.

6. Fats are broken down into fatty acids by bile from liver
Small Intestine
Breaks down nutrients and nutrients are absorbed by villi to the bloodstream
Fats are broken down into fatty acids by bile from liver
Three parts: duodenum, jejunum, ileum
Villi cover the inside of the small intestine, increasing the surface area and absorbing nutrients to be sent to the bloodstream to our cells
Yarn: measure height four times

7. Liver
One function of the liver is to create bile that is sent to the small intestine.
Bile- breaks down fat into fatty acids that can be used by the body (dish soap and oil lab)
Largest internal organ in our body
Other functions: Filters blood, stores unneeded nutrients for later use, and breaks down medicine and produces proteins
Gallbladder
Bile is stored & concentrated here
Released through the bile duct to the small intestine (duodenum)

8. Pancreas
Sends enzymes to small intestine to break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
Enzymes lower acidity in small intestine
Necessary to break down food; without it, we would starve!

9. Large Intestine or Colon
Water and other nutrients are absorbed here
Waste material is compacted here (feces)
Yarn: Measure height one time

10. Rectum
Feces is stored here
Anus
Feces eliminated through the anus

11. What Kind of Poop is Ideal?
It is important to understand the different types of poop textures
This can help determine if your body is getting the right nutrients (fiber, water, etc.)
Your digestive system can be improved through a healthy, balanced diet, exercise, rest, and learning how to handle stress.