1. THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
By: Isabelle C., Haley S., Christine G., and
Jordan W.

2. Functions of the Digestive
System
There are two types of ways that your body digests food:
 Chemical Digestion is when your body uses chemical reactions to break
down pieces of food into small molecules. One example of this type of digestion
is your stomach acids breaking down food.
 Mechanical Digestion is when your body physically breaks down food, also,
into smaller molecules. One example of this type of digestion is when you are
chewing your food.

3. Major Parts: Tongue
The tongue is the part of the digestive
system that tastes the food. It helps move
the food from your mouth and down
through your esophagus. The salivary
glands produce the saliva that helps break
down your food while it’s in your mouth.

4. Major Parts: Esophagus
The esophagus is a muscular tube that
connects the mouth to the stomach. Food
moves through the esophagus and the rest of
the digestive tract by waves of muscular
contractions called peristalsis.

5. Major Parts : Stomach
The stomach is a large hallow organ in the
digestive system. One thing that the stomach
does is storing food. This is what allows you
to go hours between each meal. Also, stomach
acids work to further break down food.

6. Major Parts : Small Intestine
The small intestine is where most
chemical digestion occurs. Recall that
chemical digestion is using chemical
reactions to break down food. The small
intestine is connected to the stomach.

7. Major Parts : Large Intestine
The large intestine is 1.5 meters long. The
materials that pass through the large intestine
are the waste products of digestion. When
liquids pass through the large intestine it
collects the water that the small intestine
missed.

8. Interactions With the Circulatory
and Excretory Systems
The Digestive System interacts with the circulatory
system by making the nutrients needed for the red blood
cells.
The Digestive System interacts with the
Excretory System because when the Digestive
System is done getting the nutrients it gets rid
of the waste by passing it to the Excretory
System.

9. Role In Maintaining Homeostasis
The nutrients the digestive system collects is
necessary for other body parts to function
properly and maintain homeostasis.

10. Health
Ways your digestive system stays healthy:
o Eat healthy foods
o Be active
o Have a balanced diet

11. Fun Facts
• Bacteria with digestion is a new field of
research.
• An adult stomach can hold up to about 2 liters
of food and liquid.
• The large intestine is smaller than the small
intestine in length.