What it means
The work of the digestive system. Chewing and the churning of the stomach break food up (mechanical digestion), and enzymeEN-zimeA protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in the body without being used up.Full entry from the mouth, stomach, pancreasPAN-kree-usA long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.pan- allcreas fleshFull entry and small intestineSMAWL in-TES-tinThe long, narrow part of the bowel between the stomach and the large intestine, where most digestion and absorption happen.Full entry break it down into sugars, amino aciduh-MEE-noh AS-idOne of the small building blocks that join together in chains to make proteins.Full entry and fats (chemical digestion). Most nutrients are then absorbed through the wall of the small intestine.
At a glance
| Spanish | digestión |
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Related terms
gastrointestinal
Having to do with the stomach and intestines, or with the whole digestive tract from the mouth to the anus.
pancreas
A long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.
gallbladder
A small pear-shaped sac under the liver that stores bile and releases it to help digest fat.
metabolism
All the chemical processes in the body's cells that make energy, build tissue and break substances down.
small intestine
The long, narrow part of the bowel between the stomach and the large intestine, where most digestion and absorption happen.
enzyme
A protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in the body without being used up.