WELCOME TO THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The main job of the digestive system is to break down or digest the food we eat into the simplest nutrients. The 7 important nutrients are:
1) Carbohydrates 2) Proteins 3) Fats 4) Vitamins 5) Minerals 6) Water 7) Fiber
The food we eat is digested or broken down in the mouth, the stomach and small intestine. We have special proteins called enzymes that help break down food into the smallest nutrients.
By the time the food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine, it is like a thick paste called "Chyme" (kyme). In the small intestine, which is about 22 feet long, the nutrients from the food are "absorbed" into the blood and carried to liver or the cells as needed.
Once all the nutrients are absorbed from the small intestine, the rest of the chyme travels to the large intestine or "Colon". Here, water gets reabsorbed, and the rest of the chyme gets eliminated from the body as "feces".
We need all of these in the right amount to feel well and stay healthy!!!!
- What exactly is food poisoning? - Youtube (3.47 min) for Science writing class
- Digestive System Computer lab- BBC - Worksheet for the Lab
- Digestive system well described - Youtube
- Carbohydrates Digestion and Absorption - Youtube (5 min)
- Fats Digestion and Absorption - Youtube (6 min.)
- Proteins Digestion and Absorption - Youtube (7 min.)
- Digestion Brainpop
- How is Fat stored in the Body - 5 min Youtube clip
- Digestive system powerpoint - worksheet for powerpoint
- Review Question for powerpoint
- Aspertame from Dr. Mercola
- What is Diabetes - Kidshealth
