The Digestive SystemBy Jugjot Chahal, Jackie De Leon, &

Gabriel Uribe

Structure The Digestive System is a complex and extremely detailed

structure. It has many parts and is arranged in a compacted form inside the body.

It consists of 12 organs: Salivary Glands Pharynx Esophagus Stomach Liver Gallbladder Pancreas Duodenum Small Intestine Large Intestine Rectum Anal Canal

Functions (Beginning)

Mouth - breaks down food as teeth grind food into smaller pieces

Salivary Glands – produce saliva (a watery liquid with amylase that mixes with food and breaks into smaller molecules)

Pharynx- located at the back of the mouth and triggers food to go down esophagus, NOT trachea which leads to lungs

Esophagus – long tube that pushes food down in wavelike patterns to the stomach

The main function of the digestive system is to break down food into smaller molecules that may be used for energy.

Functions (Middle) Stomach - sack that further

breaks down food and breaks protein bonds with gastric juice

Liver – creates bile to help break down fats, extra sugars from bloodstream, and removes wastes

Gallbladder – stores bile form liver until needed for small intestine

Pancreas – produces enzymes needed to break down food in small intestine

Duodenum – beginning of small intestine that takes secretions form liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to break down food further into simpler glycerol, amino acids, and monosaccharides

Functions (End) Small Intestine -

absorption of nutrients take place through villi that allow nutrients to enter bloodstream

Large Intestine -minerals and water are absorbed from leftover wastes(contains lots bacteria)

Rectum – chamber that holds stool until brain gives message to release

Anal Canal – transmits stool from rectum to exiting the body

Gastritis Gastritis -a condition in which

the lining of the stomach becomes irritated or inflamed causing damage to the walls

of the stomach. Causes:

stress excessive use of alcohol or

medications like asprin bacteria, Helicobacter Pylori anemia, infections, bile reflux (bile released

from bile tract into stomach)

Treatments: Moderate Form: avoiding

hot or spicy food and taking medications to reduce stomach acid.

Infection: taking antibiotics that are prescribed by a doctor and overall maintain a healthy diet. Fish oil caps may also be used to prevent or help it.

Cures: Gastritis can be cured over time if the proper medication is taken and if a healthy, well balanced diet is applied.

10 Facts1. Digestion begins in the mouth as saliva breaks down food2. The salivary glands create saliva and amylase to break food.3. The pharynx tells food to enter esophagus and not lungs.4. Esophagus pushes food in wavelike rhythms down to

stomach.5. The stomach breaks protein bonds with gastric juice.6. The liver produces bile stored in the gallbladder to break

down fats in the duodenum.7. The pancreas creates enzymes used in the duodenum to

break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.8. Nutrients pass through villi in the small intestine into the

blood.9. The large intestine absorbs water after nutrient absorption.10.The rectum holds wastes before they are released through

the anal canal.

Bibliography Websites

"Digestive System." National Geographic. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. <http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/digestive-system-article/>.

"Gastritis." Home Remedies, Diet, Treatment, Symptoms, Relief. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. <http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Gastritis.html>.

Bailey, Regina. "Salivary Glands And Saliva." About.com Biology. About.com, 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://biology.about.com/od/humananatomybiology/ss/salivary-glands-and-saliva.htm>.

Interview "Digestive System." Personal interview. 29 Apr. 2012.

Books Johnson, George B., and Peter H. Raven. "Digestion." Holt

Biology. Orlando, Florid: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. 907-11. Print.