Digestive System Vocab

Front

What is the epiglottis?

Back

A small flap of tissue that covers the windpipe to stop food from going into the lungs.

Front

What is the small intestine?

Back

A soft winding tube where most absorption of food/nutrients happens and where chemical digestion occurs.

Front

What is the stomach?

Back

A muscular bag that breaks down chewed food by squeezing and churning it along with digestive juices.

Front

What is the digestive system?

Back

A group of organs that break down food so that it can be used for energy, cell growth, and repair.

Front

What is the esophagus?

Back

A tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach.

Front

What is peristalsis?

Back

The wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Front

What is the function of the large intestine?

Back

To absorb water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter and to store waste.

Front

What role do enzymes play in digestion?

Back

Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions to break down food into smaller molecules.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-7

Front

What is the role of saliva in digestion?

Back

Saliva contains enzymes that begin the process of breaking down food in the mouth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-7

Front

What is the function of bile?

Back

Bile helps digest fats and is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.