Our Bodies - The Digestive System

Our Bodies - The Digestive System

The digestive system breaks down the food so it can be absorbed into the body for energy and growth. Digestion takes place in the mouth, the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. The digested food is absorbed into the blood system.

- Digestion starts in the mouth. The teeth crush the food and digestive chemicals in the saliva start to attack the food and break it down.
- The food goes down the esophagus into the stomach.
- In the stomach, enzymes mix with the food and take out the protein. Hydrochloric acid kills the bacteria and helps and helps the enzymes break down the food.
- In the small intestine, enzymes from the pancreas take out more protein, carbohydrates , and fats. Some food nutrients pass through the walls of the stomach and into the blood that takes it around the body.
- In the large intestine, water is absorbed.
- In the rectum, fiber is stored. The body cannot use the fiber so it leaves the body through the anus as waste.
Your digestive  system is made up of many important organs that work together to digest the food you eat. It also helps your body absorb all the nutrients that the food contains. Nutrients are substances that keep you healthy and give you energy.
SEE : Our Bodies - Human Organ Systems