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Section:______
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Digestive System Notes
Vocabulary
1. Digestive System
Definition
-A group of organs working together to convert food into energy and
basic nutrients to feed the entire body.
2. Gastrointestinal
Tract
-Made up of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small
intestine and large intestine.
Organ Name
Mouth
(Oral Cavity)
Job of Organs in the Digestive System
Purpose of the Organ:
-Begins the process. Teeth break down the food. The salivary gland moistens
the food with saliva and the tongue pushes the food into the pharynx.
Pharynx
-Responsible for the passing of masses of chewed food from the mouth to
the esophagus.
Esophagus
-Moves food from the pharynx to the stomach.
Stomach
-Stores food so that the body has time to properly digest big meals. Contains
digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid which continues the digestive
process.
-Contains multiple folds which maximize the digestion of food and the
absorption of nutrients. About 90% of nutrients have been extracted from the
food at the end of the small intestine.
-Final stage of the digestive process. It absorbs water and contains bacteria
that aids in the breaking down of wastes to extract small amounts of
nutrients.
Small Intestine
Large Intestine
Organ Name
Epiglottis
Job of Accessory Organs in the Digestive System
Purpose of the Organ:
-Tissue flap that directs food to the esophagus and air to the lungs.
Liver
- Second largest organ in the body. Main function of the liver in digestion is
the production of bile which it secretes into the small intestine.
Gallbladder
-Used to store and recycle excess bile from the small intestine so that it can
be reused.
Pancreas
Secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestines to complete the chemical
digestion of food.
The Digestive System Process:
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