p3 digestive system

Question 1

describe digestion

Answer 1

digestion is the process that the body goes through to break down the food into simpler substances that the body can absorb and use

Question 2

state the function of the mouth

Answer 2

• digestions begins in the mouth
• the teeth chew food into smaller pieces which helps increase the surface area of food that digestive juices can act on

Question 3

state the function of the gullet (oesophagus)

Answer 3

it is a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach

Question 4

state the function of the stomach

Answer 4

food is squeezed & mixed with the digestive juices to break down some food into simpler substances

Question 5

state the function of the small intestine

Answer 5

• digestion is completed in the small intestine
• the digested food passes through the lining of the small intestine and enters the blood which is carried to all parts of the body
• blood transports the digested food and other absorbed nutrients to the different parts of the body
• the materials [undigested food] that are not absorbed move into the large intestine

Question 6

state the function of the large intestine

Answer 6

• water is absorbed from the undigested food
• the absorbed water passes through the wall of the large intestine and enter the blood
• the undigested waste materials move into the rectum

Question 7

state the function of the rectum and anus

Answer 7

• the rectum is the final part of the large intestine
• rectum stores the undigested waste materials just before they are passed out of the body through the anus as faeces

Question 8

extended knowledge: what is diarrhoea?

Answer 8

diarrhoea is the passing of loose or liquid stools. it is caused by microorganisms that irritate the mucous membrane of the large intestine, resulting in an abnormally large quantity of water in our faeces (stools)