Science- Digestive System

What is chyme?

Chyme is the name of the soup-like food as it sits in the stomach.

Define peristalsis.

Involuntary waves of muscle contraction that keep food moving along in one direction through the digestive system.

Explain the function of mucus & describe what happens if there isn't enough mucus.

Mucus is a thick, slippery substance produced by the body. Its function is to help lubricate and protect the digestive tract. If there isn't enough mucus in the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine it can cause bacteria to settle and produce ulcers.

What is the epiglottis? Why is it important?

The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe and prevents food from entering. It is important because it will help eliminate choking.

Explain how the small intestine, liver, gallbladder & pancreas all work together to digest nutrients.

The liver produces bile that is stored in the gallbladder. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that help break down starches, proteins, and fats. Both the gallbladder and the pancreas release the bile and enzymes into the small intestine where it aids in digestion.

What is bile?

A substance that is produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder helps break down fats in the small intestine.

State the function of digestive enzymes.

The function of the digestive enzymes is to help in the chemical digestion of food in the digestive system.

Describe what happens to a bite of cheese (fat & protein) and crackers (carbohydrate) after you put it into your mouth. You must identify all 6 parts of the digestive system and explain what each part does to the bite of cheese and crackers as it passes through each part.

The teeth begin to use mechanical digestion to break up the cheese and crackers. Salivary fluid helps to break down the cracker (carbohydrate) with the use of enzymes. The food is swallowed and enters the esophagus and slips past the epiglottis. Mucus in the esophagus helps lubricate the food bolus as it moves down the esophagus. Muscle contractions called peristalsis help push the food bolus down the esophagus and into the stomach. An enzyme named pepsin along with hydrochloric acid help to chemically digest the protein in the cheese. After the food exits the stomach, it enters the small intestine. Bile that is created in the liver and stored in the gall bladder is released into the small intestine. The bile along with enzymes released by the pancreas help to digest the fat in the cheese. After moving through the small intestine, it enters the large intestine where water is absorbed. After exiting the large intestine, the food enters the rectum and exits the body through the anus.

Describe what happens to food while in the mouth. Make sure to include an explanation of how mechanical digestion and chemical digestion work in the mouth

The teeth chew the food into smaller particles. This is mechanical digestion. These smaller particles can be digested easier with the help of salivary enzymes. This is considered chemical digestion.

Describe what happens to food while in the stomach. Make sure to include an explanation of how mechanical digestion and chemical digestion work in the stomach.

When food enters the stomach, it is mixed with hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin. This starts the process of chemical digestion. Mechanical digestion occurs in the stomach when the muscles lining the stomach contract to help mix and break up the food.