Digestive System Explanation Text

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The mouth is where food enters the The large intestine
digestive system but the process moves the stools
of digestion starts even before to the rectum. The
that happens!! The salivary glands 1 rectum has two
produce saliva when food is smelt. functions: firstly it
You may have come across the stores the stools
phrase ‘mouth-watering’, which until they are ready
indicates food that smells so good to be released.
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that your mouth is full of saliva. Secondly, it sends
signals to the brain
Saliva contains an enzyme called
that there are stools
amylase (pronounced am- uh - leys).
that need releasing.
This breaks down starch which is a
The final process in
type of carbohydrate. The tongue is
the digestive process
important as it mixes the food with 4
3 is when stools move
the saliva.
from the rectum are
Teeth tear, cut and grind food in the released from the
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mouth so that it can be transported anus.
through the body more easily. 5 In order to be
The soft palate is the name of the healthy the body
top of the mouth, this part of the needs to both take
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mouth moves the food through the nutrients from the
mouth and towards the oesophagus. food and also get
rid of the parts of
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the food it does not
The next part of the digestive process
takes part in the oesophagus. This is
a long muscular tube that leads to 4 6
the stomach. Here the food is moved The liver, pancreas and gallbladder After the other two parts of the
down by the muscles in synchronised are vital to the digestive process small intestine absorb the nutrients
waves (pairs of muscles contracting even though food does not pass they need, any part of the food that
and relaxing at the same time). through them. is not needed travels to the large
This movement is called peristalsis. intestine. The large intestine absorbs
Muscles in your intestine also work The pancreas produces enzymes to water from the remaining food and
like this. break down fats, carbohydrates and the rest forms into stools.
proteins which are released in the
3 duodenum.
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Enzymes and acids are produced
The liver produces bile – this is an The small intestine is split into three
in the stomach lining to break
important fluid which breaks down parts. The duodenum is the first part
food down. The stomach contains
fats in our diets. It sends the bile of the small intestine and it is here
powerful muscles that churn and
to the gallbladder to store, which that the food is broken down by
mix food into smaller and smaller
releases it into the duodenum when enzymes and bile.
pieces.
it is needed.

Science | Year 4 | Animals Including Humans | Digestive System Functions | Lesson 2

Read each question carefully and answer questions in sentences. Re-read the Digestive System Explanation Text if you are unsure
of an answer.
1. How many different parts of the digestive system are involved in breaking down food in the mouth?

2. Where is ‘bile’ produced?

3. Is the whole of the small intestine used in the digestive process?

4. Explain how the stomach helps to digest food.

5. In which part of the digestive system does peristalsis occur?

6. Which part of the digestive system sends signals to your brain? Why does it send them?

7. Why would it be a problem if you did not have a pancreas?

8. Which part of the digestive system is the most important? Why? Explain your answer with at least two reasons.

Science | Year 4 | Animals Including Humans | Digestive System Functions | Lesson 2

1. How many different parts of the digestive system are involved in breaking down food
in the mouth? 4 – salivary glands, mouth, teeth and tongue.

2. Where is ‘bile’ produced? The liver.

3. Is the whole of the small intestine used in the digestive process? No, only the first
part called the duodenum.

4. Explain how the stomach helps to digest food. The stomach lining produces enzymes
and acids which break down food. The stomach muscles churn and breaks food into
smaller pieces.

5. In which part of the digestive system does peristalsis occur? The oesophagus and the
intestines.

6. Which part of the digestive system sends signals to your brain? Why does it send
them? The rectum sends signals to your brain. It sends them to inform your brain that
it contains stools that need to be released.

7. Why would it be a problem if you did not have a pancreas? The pancreas produces
enzymes that break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates, which are the three main
nutrients we eat.

8. Which part of the digestive system is the most important? Why? Explain your answer
with at least two reasons. There is no ‘right’ answer here.
The child needs to:
1. Pick one part
2. Include the important function of the part
3. Explain why it can be considered the most important part

Science | Year 4 | Animals Including Humans | Digestive System Functions | Lesson 2