U7 and U9 GOLD Terms 24.25

Front

Digestion

Back

The act of breaking down food into smaller pieces and/or nutrient molecules. There are two types of this action!

Front

Absorption

Back

The act of taking in the helpful nutrients from our food into the bloodstream (this occurs within a few different structures).

Front

Elimination

Back

The act of removing undigested wastes from our body (after we have already taken in the helpful/necessary nutrients).

Front

Mechanical Digestion

Back

The method of physically breaking down food into smaller pieces. This action increases the surface area of the food AND speeds up the next related process. Ex: teeth chewing, stomach crushing food.

Front

Chemical Digestion

Back

The method of using enzymes to dissolve the food into smaller nutrients and molecular building blocks. If the food has more surface area (borders), this step goes faster.

Front

Gastrointestinal Tract

Back

All structures within the digestive system that have food pass directly through them. Ex: esophagus, small intestine.

Front

Accessory Organ

Back

All structures in the digestive system that HELP with digestion in some way, but do not actually have food enter them. Ex: saliva glands, pancreas.

Front

Mouth

Back

The structure that contains our teeth & saliva glands. This is the first site of digestion. Part of GI tract.

Front

Teeth

Back

Structures within the mouth responsible for the first mechanical digestion of food. When you chew, you increase the surface area of the food itself (you create more borders on it). An accessory organ.

Front

Saliva Glands

Back

These create saliva and release it into the mouth. An accessory organ.