The Digestive System

Digestion – is the process by which food is broken down and absorbed into the blood stream.

Digestion begins in the mouth where teeth and enzymes in the mouth break down the food.

When food leaves the mouth it passes through the oesophogus into the stomach.

Stomach produces hydro – chloric acid and breaks down food into a soggy – like substance called chime. The chime is then passed into the small intestine.

The liver produces a green like substance called bile which is mixed with pancreatic juices and these help to complete the breakdown and absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.

The remaining portion then passes into the large intestine (colon)

This undigested part after a while becomes hardened into faeces and is then egested from the rectum.

N.B- Fibre (roughage) is important in assisting in the removal of faeces from the colon. Faeces remaining in the colon for too long can cause illness hence; our diet should consist of fibre everyday, and 6-8 glasses of water daily. Fruits and vegetables are an important source of fibre.