The mechanical and chemical process used by the body to break down food and take in nutrients

Mechanical:

        -chewing in mouth

        -Peristalsis: Rhythmic muscle contractions to move food thru system.

Chemical: enzymes and acids break food down

        -Hydrolysis:  basis of chemical digestion.  Water used to break down food molecules.

        -acids in stomach/ enzymes in small intestines

Mouth: Chews food and mix with saliva to form bolus (ball of food)

Esophagus: pipe to stomach

    -Epiglottis:  Stops food from entering lungs/ door to esophagus

Stomach: Storage area for food. food mixes with acids to form chyme (partially digested/liquid food)

Small Intestines: Majority of digestion/intake of nutrients

Made up of 3 parts: ("Don't Jump In")

Duodenum:  majority of nutrient intake

Jejunum

Ileum

Large Intestines/Colon:

Reabsorb water and electrolytes

form and store feces

-three parts:  Ascending, Transverse, Descending (colon)

Rectum:  Storage for feces.

Anus:  Final Sphincter for exit of waste.

**Not technically  part of the system, but important:

Pancreas and Gallbladder: makes and releases enzymes and hormones to small intestines for breakdown.  Most important is insulin

Liver: Converts glucose to/from glycogen. Stores energy in form of glycogen. Makes bile that is stored in gallbladder.

Ulcers: Irritation to the lining of the stomach or intestines. Can cause Pitting (a hole) in the mucous tissues

Stomach upset, pain, nausea

can be caused by diet, stress, heredity

Crohn’s disease: Inflammation and death of tissues in the small intestine.

Pain, weight loss and general sickness

cause is unknown