the digestion system

Question 1

digestion

Answer 1

the process by which the body breaks down food into small nutrient molecules

Question 2

absorption

Answer 2

the process by which nutrient molecules pass through the wall of the digestive system into the blood

Question 3

saliva

Answer 3

the enzyme in the mouth that changes starch to sugar

Question 4

enzyme

Answer 4

a type of chemical (a protein) that breaks down food into smaller molecules

Question 5

epiglottis

Answer 5

a flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe & prevents food from entering

Question 6

esophagus

Answer 6

a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach

Question 7

mucus

Answer 7

a thick, slippery substance produced by the body

Question 8

peristalsis

Answer 8

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

Question 9

stomach

Answer 9

a j-shaped, muscular pouch located in the abdomen

Question 10

small intestine

Answer 10

the part of the digestive system in which most chemical digestion takes place

Question 11

liver

Answer 11

the largest organ in the body; & produces bile

Question 12

bile

Answer 12

a substance produced by the liver that breaks up fat particles

Question 13

gall bladder

Answer 13

the organ that stores bile after it is produced by the liver

Question 14

pancreas

Answer 14

• a triangular organ that lies between the stomach & first part of the small intestine
• it produces enzymes that break down starches, proteins, & fats

Question 15

villi

Answer 15

tiny finger-shaped structures that cover the inner surface of the small intestine & provide a large surface area through which digested food is absorbed

Question 16

large intestine

Answer 16

the last section of the digestive system, where water is absorbed from food & the remaining material is eliminated from the body

Question 17

rectum

Answer 17

the end of the large intestine where waste material is compressed into a solid form before being eliminated

Question 18

anus

Answer 18

a muscular opening at the end of the rectum through which waste material is eliminated from the body

Question 19

chemical digestion

Answer 19

enzymes break down food into smaller molecules

Question 20

mechanical digestion

Answer 20

physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller pieces

ex: biting into a strawberry

Question 21

chyme

Answer 21

thick liquid form of food

Question 22

gastric juice

Answer 22

juice produced in the stomach that contains mucus, pepsin, & hydrochloric acid

Question 23

pepsin

Answer 23

enzyme that digests proteins

Question 24

bile

Answer 24

a substance that physically breaks up large fat droplets into smaller fat droplets

Question 25

colon

Answer 25

another name for the large intestine

Question 26

nutrients

Answer 26

substances in food that your body needs to grow, to repair itself, & to supply you with energy

Question 27

bolus

Answer 27

slippery mass (ball of food) formed in the mouth then gets swallowed

Question 28

pharynx

Answer 28

throat; passageway for food to the esophagus & air to the larynx

Question 29

lipid

Answer 29

energy-rich organic compounds, such as fats & oils

Question 30

carbohydrates

Answer 30

nutrient that supplies energy & can be broken down into sugar (glucose) & starches

Question 31

feces

Answer 31

solid wastes; stool

Question 32

starch

Answer 32

a complex carbohydrate found in foods from plants such as potatoes, rice, wheat, & corn

Question 33

protein

Answer 33

a nutrient made up of amino acids

• ex: animal sources, such as meat & eggs
• also plant sources (beans, grains, & nuts)

Question 34

lipase

Answer 34

an enzyme that breaks down fat (lipids)