The Digestive System

Answers:

1. Mouth: Where digestion begins through chewing and saliva’s enzymes start breaking down starches.
2. Esophagus: This tube uses muscle contractions to move food from the mouth to the stomach.
3. Stomach: Mixes food with acids and enzymes to break it down and prepare it for the small intestine.
4. Small Intestine: The main site for nutrient absorption and further digestion of food.
5. Large Intestine: Absorbs water and electrolytes, forming waste into solid stool for elimination.
6. Liver: Produces bile for fat digestion, processes nutrients, and detoxifies substances.
7. Gallbladder: Stores and concentrates bile from the liver, releasing it to aid fat digestion.
8. Pancreas: Produces digestive enzymes for the small intestine and hormones like insulin.
9. Rectum/Anus: The rectum stores stool before elimination, and the anus controls its exit.