SCIENCE 8

QUARTER 4 WEEK 1

Name: Mariel Charriz O. Perez Section: 8- Flores

Digestive System and Keeping it Healthy!

This module is about the processes of ingestion, absorption, assimilation, and excretion. After going through this
module, you are expected to:
1. Discuss how digestive organs work together to carry out digestion of food and assimilation of nutrient.
2. Cite some problems and disorders related to digestion.
3. Practice moderation and healthy lifestyles.

Food fuels the body for the needed energy and to maintain its basic life processes. What will happen to the food once we
put it in our mouth? We will now explore the breaking down processes of food as it moves along the alimentary canal. We
will divide the topic into a bite sizes and hoping that at the end of the module you get nuggets of vital information.
Part 1- The Organs of digestion
Part II – Healthy Practices for the Digestive System

What are the organs of digestion? The human digestive system is tube-like because it has an opening where food enters
the mouth, and the waste products exit through an anus. The organs of digestion are divided into two main parts: the
organs of alimentary tract and accessory organs. Digestion begins in the mouth or oral cavity. It contains 32 teeth that
break down food into small pieces, tongue that mixes food with saliva and ducts of salivary glands, secrete ptyalin that
start the chemical digestion of carbohydrates. Partially digested food mixes with saliva and lubricated and chewed until it
forms into a ball-shaped bolus. Swallowing pushes the bolus into the pharynx or throat. Pharynx is 5-6 inches long,
during swallowing, the sphincter muscles relax and raises the epiglottis to cover the opening of trachea so food passes
from the pharynx to the esophagus then into the stomach by wavelike contraction and relaxation of involuntary muscles
called peristalsis. Stomach is a pear-shaped organ, about 30.5cm long and 15.2 cm wide and has the capacity of about 1
liter. Stomach has many folds called rugae. Within the rugae are gastric glands secreting gastric juices and hydrochloric
acid that digest proteins. The contraction or churning of the stomach mixes the food with gastric juices and the food is
converted into chyme, a semifluid partially digested food. During the churning, the sphincter muscles on both side of the
stomach are closed. Food usually remains in the stomach for 2-3 hours.
The pyloric valve at the intestinal end, opens and closes several times emptying or moving the chyme to the small
intestine. Small intestine is about 6 meters long and approximately 2.5 cm in diameter for adult. It is divided into 3
sections: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
Small intestine is considered as organ of complete digestion because it secretes the enzymes that change food materials
into their simplest components. The walls of the small intestine contain many folds that are lined up with villi. Every villus
has epithelial cells for covering and blood vessels scattered within. On the surface of every epithelial cells, it has tinier
projection called microvilli add up a wide surface area for the absorption of nutrients. and into the bloodstream and get
transported to various parts of the body. Not all food is completely digested. These undigested materials become watery
and pass from small intestine into the large intestine.
Large intestine or colon is about 5cm wide and 1.5 meters long. Water is absorbed from undigested food and the
remaining materials which then become more solid are pass into the rectum where they are temporarily stored and are
eventually eliminated through the anus as waste.

Here are some of the accessory organs of digestion.

1. Salivary glands – these include parotid, sublingual and submandibular which secretes saliva that contains salivary
amylase or ptyalin
2. Liver is located at the right side of upper abdomen. It is responsible for production of bile, about 500mL -1,000
mL daily. Bile is temporarily stored and concentrated in the gallbladder. Bile emulsifies fats and neutralizes the chyme
from the stomach.
3. Pancreas – is yellowish gland about 18cm long and 4 cm wide. The acinar cell of pancreas secretes amylopsin,
trypsin, steapsin and nuclease.

Below is a summary of the digestion and absorption process.

Healthy Practices that can promote proper nutrition and over all wellness.
1. A diet rich in raw, living food like fruits and vegetables. They are rich with enzymes which hasten the chemical
breakdown of food.
2. Food rich in fibers. Fiber’s “sweep” the large intestine to keep it clean and to assist in elimination.
3. Drinking enough amount of water.
4. Drinking warm liquid. Ice cold drinks stiffen the muscles of the digestive organs.
5. Light exercises after eating. Brisk walking can increase breathing and heartrate that can jumpstart the digestive
process.
6. Probiotics are available as nutritional supplements. Probiotics can help increase digestive time.

Explore and strengthen your understanding of the topic by answering these learning Task.
Learning task no. 1- Can you help me identify my digestive organs? Direction. Label the
organs and glands for digestion.

1. Salivary
Glands Salivary glands
Pharynx
7. Mouth 2. Pharynx Esophagus
Stomach
Pancreas
3. Esophagus Small intestine
8. Liver Mouth
4. Stomach Liver
Gall bladder
9. Gall Large intestine
Bladder 5. Pancreas

10. Large 6. Small

Intestine intestine

Learning task 2- How will I take care of my digestive organs?

A healthy digestive system improves the person’s capacity to eat well and the body’s capacity to derive optimum
energy from food.
Just complete the following:
1. I can help my digestive systems by eating fiber such as whole grains, fresh fruit and leafy vegetables, yogurt
and other probiotics.
2. I rather chose to drink a lot of water, lemon juice, smoothie drinks and ginger tea than drinking softdrinks.
3. I need to improve on my digestion by exercising regularly, chewing food thoroughly, eating healthy foods in
regular schedule, drinking right drinks, avoid bad habits.
4. I do not eat when I am already full because the digestion might slow down.

Learning Task 3 – Match Me!

Direction: Match the items in column A with the items in column B. Write the letter of the correct answer on the box
provided.

Answer A B
a 1. Heartburn a. Caused by excess secretion of stomach acid.
b 2. Flatulence b. Presence of excess amount of gas
c 3. Colitis c. Inflammation of large intestine
e 4. Constipation d. discomfort like bloating and pain in upper abdomen
d 5. Indigestion e. Bowel movement become frequent and difficult

Learning task 4- Fill me out!

Let us wind up this lesson by completing the statements. Choose from the following words.

Diet practices breaking alimentary tract accessory.

Digestion is a process of breaking down food into simple components that the cells can use. The human digestive
system has the organs of alimentary and accessory that comes in contact with the food and the tract organs to
pour out secretions to assist in the digestive process.

A healthy diet and practices plus some technologies will promote proper nutrition and overall wellness.