| A | B |
|---|
| digestion | the process by which the body breaks down food |
| calorie | the amount of energy needed to heat 1 gram of water 1 degree |
| nutrient | the substance in food the body needs to grow and develop |
| carbohydrate | a nutrient that provides energy for the body, made of sugars |
| protein | a nutrient required for growth and development, made of amino acids |
| mineral | a nutrient, usually an element, found in soil |
| vitamin | a nutrient required for chemical reactions in the body |
| fat | a high energy nutrient, also found in cell membranes |
| saliva | a fluid released by salivary glands while you eat |
| enzyme | a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body |
| absorption | the intake of nutrients into the body |
| epiglottis | a flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe while you eat |
| esophagus | a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomache |
| mucus | a thick secretion that lubricates the esophagus |
| peristalsis | involuntary muscle contractions in the esophagus that push food toward the stomache |
| liver | an organ that makes bile |
| bile | a substance made by the liver that gets stored on the gallbladder and breaks down fat |
| anus | a muscular opening that controls the release of waste |
| rectum | a part of the large intestines where waste is stored until it is eliminated |
| pancreas | an organ that releases enzymes to break down food |
| villi | small "fingers" in the lining of the small intestines that absorb nutrients |
| gallbladder | an organ that stores and releases bile |
| small intestine | the part of the digestive system where most chemical digestion and absorption takes place |
| large intestine | the part of the digestive system where water is absorbed back into the bloodstream |
