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3 Main Functions of the Digestive System
3 Main Functions of the Digestive System
Break down food into nutrients
Absorb nutrients into the bloodstream
Eliminate solid waste products
Secondary Tract
Secondary Tract
Organs of the digestive system that assist in digestion, but do not actually hold food in them at any point during the digestion process.
Liver
Gallbladder
Pancreas
Salivary Glands
Digestive Tract
Digestive Tract
The organs of the digestive system that form a hollow tube through which food passes
Mouth
Esophagus
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine
Rectum
Anus
Mechanical vs. Chemical Digestion
Mechanical vs. Chemical Digestion
Mechanical Digestion-the process of physically breaking down food into smaller pieces. (This happens by chewing in the mouth and peristalsis/churning in the stomach)
Peristalsis-the rhythmic squeezing of food through the digestive system. This action is performed by smooth muscle tissue in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
Chemical digestion-the process of breaking down food into smaller pieces through the use of a variety of chemical substances. (This happens with saliva, hydrochloric acid, bile, and lots of other digestive juices.)
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