Digestive System

body system that breaks down food and absorbs nutrients

• digestive system

• mouth

• mechanical digestion

where digestion begins

• chemical digestion

• mouth

• mechanical digestion

physical breakdown of food

• chemical digestion

• esophagus

• mechanical digestion

breaking down food with enzymes

• chemical digestion

• esophagus

• peristalsis

tube connecting the mouth to the stomach

• stomach

• esophagus

• peristalsis

waves of muscle contractions (squeezing)

• stomach

• small intestine

• peristalsis

large muscular sac that continues the mechanical and chemical digestion of food

• stomach

• small intestine

• liver

Digestive organ where most chemical digestion and absorption of food takes place

• pancreas

• small intestine

• liver

produces bile to break up fat particles

• pancreas

• large intestine

• liver

produces enzymes for the small intestine that help break down starches, proteins, and fats

• pancreas

• large intestine

• liver