Science The Digestive System

Question 0

Name and describe the stages of digestion.

Answer 0

Ingestion : take food in
Digestion: break food down
Absorption: absorbing nutrition
Egestion: removal of waste products

Question 1

Define ‘digestion’.

Answer 1

Digestion is The breakdown of large insoluble molecules into smaller soluble molecules that can be absorbed into the blood stream.

Question 2

Describe the function of the small intestine.

Answer 2

Food is broken down further to be absorbed by the blood.

Question 3

Describe the function of the stomach.

Answer 3

Muscular, hollow organ with gastric juices (enzymes and hydrochloride acid) that churns (mixes) the food.
Gastric juices kill any micro organisms.

Question 4

Describe the function of the large intestine.

Answer 4

Final stage, water is absorbed here and solid waste (faeces) is excreted from the rectum (where it is stored) through the anus - stinky!

Question 5

Describe the function of the mouth in digestion.

Answer 5

Saliva contains enzymes to break down food and is liquid to provide lubrication. Teeth also break up food.

Question 6

Describe the function of the oesophagus in digestion.

Answer 6

Peristalsis is when the food is moved through the oesophagus to the stomach through a series of muscle contractions.

Question 7

Describe the function of the liver in digestion.

Answer 7

Food does not enter the liver BUT
The liver produces a yellow substance called bile.
Bile cancels out (neutralises) stomach acid and helps break up fats.
Bile is stored in the gall bladder.

Question 8

Describe the function of the pancreas in digestion.

Answer 8

The pancreas produces more enzymes to break down food.