Tiger Food Science

What is digestion?  

Breakdown of foods into smaller elements so body can use it for fuel and body processes.

Mouth- Digestion begins.  2 ways- Mechanical and Chemical.  Teeth chews and breaks food up.  Saliva which has an enzyme, amylase which breakdown    CHO.

Esophagus- long tube which moves food down (bolus.)  Muscle movement called 

Paristalsis, moves food toward stomach.  Epiglottis, flap of muscle which blocks off windpipe.

Stomach- Nutrients from foods are absorbed here.  Hydrochloric acid is produced to make gastric juices, which further breakdown food. Enzyme pepsin breaks 

                  down protein. 

Small Intestines- Long tube 18-25 ft.  Walls of small intestines are covered with Villi                                 

                              which increase the surface area thus increasing the absorption of    

                              nutrients into  bloodstream. Most and remaining nutrients are 

                              absorbed here, and pass into bloodstream, which go to cells.

Large Intestines- Also known as Colon.  Function is a water conserving organ.  Large intestines saves water and puts it back into system.  Where small and large intestines meet is a small non-functioning organ called, the  Appendix. 

Rectum- Area which senses pressure and signals muscles when to release waste.

Anus- Large sphincter muscle.  Opens and closes to release waste.  The End!!!

Liver- One function of Liver is to produce Bile (enzyme), which breakdown Fats.

Gallbladder- Storage area (organ) for Bile.

Sphincters- Muscles which open and close passages.