Unit 2 Lions: Vocabulary Part 2 (Digestion)

digestive system

Organ system that breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells.

digestion

The process by which the body breaks down food into small nutrient molecules (macromolecules)

chemical digestion

Process by which enzymes break down food into small molecules (macromolecules) that the body can use

mechanical digestion

Physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller pieces, for example by teeth chewing or stomach contracting

mouth

organ where mechanical and chemical digestion begin

esophagus

organ that consists of a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.

stomach

organ that consists of a large muscular sac that continues the mechanical and chemical digestion of food

small intestine

Digestive organ where most chemical digestion and absorption of food takes place

large intestine

The last section of the digestive system, where water is absorbed from food and the remaining material is eliminated from the body

liver

organ that produces bile, used to break down fats

pancreas

An organ that produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, which are delivered to the small intestine to break down food. It also secretes insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar.

metabolism

All of the chemical reactions that occur within an organism

macromolecules

A very large organic molecule composed of many smaller molecules: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids

hydrolysis

A chemical process that splits a molecule by adding a molecule of water; used in digestion to break down large molecules

dehydration synthesis

A chemical reaction in which two molecules are bonded together with the removal of a water molecule; used by cells to build larger molecules