http://www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Human Biology
Vocabulary
- absorption: Process that allows nutrients to be taken up by the blood.
- chemical digestion: Process by which large food molecules are broken down into small nutrient molecules
through a chemical process. - digestion: Process of breaking down food into nutrients.
- digestive system: Body system that breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and rids the body of solid food
waste. - elimination: Process of passing solid food waste out of the body.
- mechanical digestion: Process by which large chunks of food are broken down into small pieces through a
physical process, such as chewing. - saliva: Watery substance located in the mouths of organisms, secreted by the salivary glands.
Summary
- The digestive system is the body system that breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and gets rid of solid wastes.
- Digestion is the process of breaking down food into nutrients, while absorption is the process that allows
nutrients to be taken up by the blood.
Practice
Use the resources below to answer the questions that follow.
- How Food is Digestedat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsTwabX4ggI (1:44)
MEDIA
Click image to the left for more content.- What type of muscles do you think you have in your esophagus?
- How long does food stay in your stomach? Where does it go next?
- What is the role of bile in the digestion process?
- Digestive Systemat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7xKYNz9AS0 (1:49)
MEDIA
Click image to the left for more content.- Where does digestion start?
- Where are most of the nutrients from food absorbed? What happens to the nutrients once they are absorbed?
- What happens in the colon (large intestine)?
- What does the digestive system do to food?